FORGOTTEN REALMS SURVIVAL GUIDE P.

102

35.99US S 8.5 DC A N

PLUS:
The Royal Heralds • Feyr Redux • Tavern and Shop Name Generator
Pool of Radiance Rogues • Mapmahing Tips • New Ray Spells and Artifacts
71658 01825 5
Imagine your worst day
Not even dose to what he's going through

foiiumon
dj f

Snfa^Th^jSo.Saga-VoiumeO^
ISBN 0 7869
- - 1572-2

SMI
The Best of Tales Dalamar the Dark Rebels & Tyrants: More Leaves from the
0-7869-1567-6 0-7869-1565-X Tales of the Fifth Age Inn of the Last Home
0-7869-1676-1 0-7869-1516-1

•SYWvAVitards&Gt rtfbik&i:
V
Dragon Annual 5 FEATURES
2000 New rules, campaigns, and idea generators.
By Any Other Name (Pari One)
Sages, Shops, and Smithies.,^,,^ ,.1Q
Owen KC Stephens

By Any Other Name (Part Two)

Iaver ns..*, t. *... .14
Christopher tvesr

Fresh Starts.*,.,,.-........18
Christopher Wilkes

Rays of Light**.,,.
Stephen Schubert

G 0 rgol d an d's Gauntlet..*** ■39

Johnathan M. Richards l*

.mmm
%ri,:W. All Over the Map ...■.t.53
Michael G, Ryan ■ [ : 'I-
\ h ■
After the Dragon ♦ **♦ ■ P ir*** Ul'pp^ppp pp«f«4l4r^> I VI PPPPltPlPp . ■>»»» I4rl <1< a 444 f> ■ **■ 4.»<fp 1 p I 4f4l 4#ll4Pp4lP II44IPI4P4IIIP fO ’
i ' • :i
•• *?,■ • : T • vj -* f
.: •
;v EdiGreenwcodl\ [ > ' s. >-!s^ i ri
■Wri'%"-
M eh to r s. ,**.*....*...2-.2 *-*r ■70
David Chunn J

1 O 1 . Evil SchClTtOS-IPPP ..i4t>1,.'lP.<l<lifpi44P.p|.fFP.PI-< 4 4 I 4PPIW I PM I 41 lllll PH, ■«■«■ 4P1I1 I l»»,M Ml<l.*»4»tl IIP . | . » 4 ^4

All Over the Map .«*.*...****.*.*...— 53

Michael G• Ryan

Th e R oya 1 H e ra! d s ** ,*, ***,*, **** .**,.*, *, *„*. „■**,„.*, . **„ „ .****,.**** .**...82
Andy Collins

Class Combos. 90
James Wyatt

Forgotten Realms Survival Guide..^„.*.*,:t*i,,„WI 02

Sean K Reynolds

FAMILIARS
Humor, puzzlesf monsters, magic, and more.
Wyrnfs Turn...iri.....^,^,0
iris not every day that one gets to see a half- Bazaar of the Bizaar..*...28
dragon in full armor stop for an artist illustrator The Bestiary *„,..**,„**....*;.....,...32
Glenn Harrington claims that his subject refused Dork Tower.*.,.**..,,**,...*«„*■.*.,*,...,^8
to sir for the portrait, but grudgingly agreed to Dragonmirth 56
stand[ Class Acts.,*..*.*......,*....,..*...8o
Creature Godex,>,p,.„,^p^^p..„p....^...„...*.96
Though the armor was inspired by Italian Nodwick*.,*,.*.,**..,.*.I,'.**...*..96
Renaissance style, the peaceful face is drawn Rogges Gallery 108
from an ancient Ethiopian king's mask, for which Whafs New.,... 114
he was expelled from a Dallas museum after
snapping a photo,
-Peter Whitley, Art Director

5
 in With the hew
ft doesn’t matter whether you thought
the millennium began last January
Group Publisher * Johnny Wilson
Publisher * Wendy Norltake
or starts next year. If you’re a D&tD
player, the new era began in August
Ediror-in-Chief • Dave Gross with the new edition of the rules.
Associate Editor • Chris Tbomasson
Assistant Editors ■ Eric Haddock, Matthew Sernelt
Even if you prefer other games, this
Contributing Editors * Ed Greenwood, year marks a huge turning point in an
Robin D. Laws, Christopher Perkins, Mike Sclinker,
Skip Williams, Ray Winnlnger
industry that had shrunk dangerously
Editorial Intern ■ Stacie A, Fiorlto since its boom years. We’re moving
from a rime when most paper game
Art Director * Refer Whitley
magazines couidn't survive, much less
Graphic Designers * Travers W Dow,
Kyle Stanley Hunter thrive, into a period in which we
expect-and welcome-some vita/ and
Circulation Director ■ Pierce Warrers
Advertising Sales Director ■ Bob Henning
exciting competition. Well even join in
Production Manager * John Dunn with some new magazines of our own.
Assistant Production Manager - Bobbl Maas
Circulation Assistant * Dawnelle Micsner f ffc ne of the great things about playing D&rD is its
Advertising Intern * Alice Chung I sheer popularity, Move to a new town, and chances
w are you’ll Find a D&tD player before someone who plays other roleplaying games.
That makes a big difference, since learning any new game takes time and effort you’d
Dragon Magazine {ISSN# 0270-5843) i$ published mcrithij?
for $34.95 par year by Wizards of the Coast, Inc., loot LIncJ rather spend playing. Even though the new version of D&tD is easier to learn and
Aw. m Reunion, WA 98055, United Stales of Amorim. teach, many people would rather use the mechanics they already know.
Periodicals Pamqo Paid ai Renton, wa, end at additional
mailing offltm postmaster: send address The dao system, the rules that form the basis of the D&tD game, also drives the new
CHANGES TO Diw™ Magazine!, PO. BOX 489107,
Star Wars roleplaying game (in stores soon). Since that game's bound to be hugely
ESCONDIDO, CA 02O4|#OtoWkSfds ot the Coast, Inc,
Ail rights reserved^ No part of this magazlno may bo popular, it already has its own magazine: Star Wars Gamer Magazine. The Star Wars
tapruducud {except for rtjvlaw purposes) without the prior
written permission of the published Material published herein game and magazine are only the beginning-several new games based on the dzo rules
doos not nocesaarlty rated the opinions cl Wizards of tie are already underway here at Wizards of the Coast, and by this time next year, you’ll
Coast, Inc., Ito employees, or Its.editorial staff, who arc riot
liable for opinions fexpraieed herald Mod product names urn be able to play any number of games and settings using the same rules you learned
tradoinarkii owned by the awnpanlos that publish Ihoso with D&tD. That’s not to say the rules for all the games are identical, but they're close
pitnJurts. Usd of tho name uf any product without inenlfori of
tmdurnark status should not be construed as a cfvaflange to enough that learning Stan Wans is a breeze if you've already learned D&tD,
such status. Wizards of the Coast; TSH; Dungeons &.
Dragc^s; Advanced Dungeons & Draoons; O&D; AMD;
Even other companies and individuals can jump on the dzo bandwagon, as the Open
Forgotten Realms; Dragqhlance; Planescafe: RAVENLSopffj Gaming License lets anyone publish dzo system games and supplements. In fact, the
BimiuLfOHr, Mvstara; Spellfike; Greykawk; Dafw Sun;
Bpeu^wmer; Al-Qadim; Councij. or- Wviiva; Masque of the first dzo system supplements were available at the Gen Con Game Fair, and it looks
Ri.d Dtaui; Mi Oomf^npium; Am mnkv; SwCDrwi., like plenly more are on the way. Titus, for anyone who knows how to play D&tD, learn¬
DAriK-MAi'i i:3i, Alien Compendium; Fir ih Aot; DUNOBQN
KU6Tefl; Player's Onon; Dtwjow; Dungeon; Polyhedron; ing another dao game is a snap. For more information on the OGL, set your browser
Umx Ctrv: Living Qheyhawk; Gen Con; RPGA are to www.opengamingfoundation.org.
trademarks ot Wizards or too Coast, Inc,
For those who demand that Dnaoon remain devoted exclusively to Dungeons &r
Slar Wars is a registered irademark of Dicasfilm Ltd, 01999
Dragons, have no fear. For dzo games other than D&rD and Stan Wars, we’ll bring you
Lucasfilm Lid. Ail rights reserved.
a completely new periodical named, surprisingly enough, dao Magazine. Watch for it
Tg'lODS, 1996, and 1998 Nintendo, Creatures, GAMEFREAK. j
ppkflmori r Jungle, Foasll.Gym Heroes, Team Rocket, Game
bundled with an issue of Dragon Magazine next summer.
Bey, Gotta catch 'em all, ancf the official Nintendo Seat are trade- f
marks of Nintendo.
£(2000 Nintendo of America.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Contact Publishers Creative Systems at .. ..

Dragon@pcspiiWlnk.com or coll 1'WXF39&7760. In tho
UK, contact NpypntmtJr@tnsofres.com or call 444-18-58- J
41-4713,
ADVERTISING: Contact Dragon Magazine's Advertising
Sales Director, Bob Henning! at 425-204-7262, All ads are
subject to approval by Wizards of the Coast, which
reserves the right to reject any ad for arty reason.
Advertisers andfor agencies of advertisers agree not to
hold Wizards of the Coast liable for any loss or expense |
from alleged wrongdoing that may arise out of the
publication of such advertisements.
Northeastern Advertising Representatives: Slg or Scott
Buchmayr, Buchmayr Associates, 137 Rowayton Avenue,
Rowaytcn, CT 06853, {203) 855-3834.
. .Distribution Nationally and Internationally by Curtis
l Circulation Company, 730 River Road, New Milford, NJ
... Q7646.Tel: 201-834-7400. Fax: 201-634-7499
Row 1 Spent My Summer Vacation
In his Farewell editorial, Art Director Larry Smith left us with some advice that sunk
in only recently, when several of our staff-myself included-traveled to Great Britain
for a trade show and Gen Con U.K. Afterward, I went on to a whirlwind tour of book
stores on U.$. military bases throughout southern Germany. That's when I experienced
first-hand the wisdom of Larry’s words: “Don't let your sense of adventure end at the
gaming table.'*
Like most gamers, I’d have a hard time deciding between a week of nonstop gaming
with my pals and a trip to Europe. As much fun as gaming ist imagining yourself on
the streets of Waterdeep doesn’t compare to standing inside the Tower of London,
Shakespeare’s Globe, or Heidelberg Castle. Even the gaming is more “authentic” when
everyone at the rable-weff, except the DMHs getting the English accent right.
You’ve got to wonder why more gamers aren’t world travelers. I think the time is
right for fantasy vacations for those of us who grew up only imagining such adven¬
tures. When will travel companies combine German castles with LARPs? Or how about

Printed in the USA

6 annual 2ooo
 You are the very first dragon slayer, a tearless hero who
Ptaysiacion
must combat the most horrific of enemies* You will
vanquish evil, marry the heroinet and continue your
heroic legacy with each new generation,You will fight as
9 brave characters in 3 action-packed story lines, and
battle to prove your worth, your might, your Dragon Valor.
 a Mediterranean cruise with gaming
instead of showtunes? Hmm ...
The other lesson brought home during
the trip is that the universal constants of
gamer life ho id true overseas. Two play-
testers in Ramstein lost patience and
attacked their parties just to try out the
new combat rules, and ! had to beat
down a rules lawyer in Wiesbaden, It was
almost like being at Gen Con.
Dragon and You
Watching our circulation go up is great
in itself, but what we like even more is
seeing the stream of your letters and
McGuillotine's
OVER1I00S6
SEVERED
"BUSINESS WAS SLOW, SO I
BOUGHT INTO A FRANCHISE."
ft annual 2ooo
_
emails turn into a veritable flood. The
average number of article queries has at
[east doubled in the two months since the
new Player's Handbook arrived, and we
expect it*H double again by the time this
issue sees print. The new edition has
inspired a lot of new campaigns, which
means more new contributors. We canT
wait to see who the new "regulars" are a
year from now.
Even if you don't have an article to
contribute, share your thoughts on the
new game, the state of the magazine, or
recent developments in your own cam¬
paign by sending a letter to "Scale Mail"
or “Forum," If you have a superlative
player or DM, don't forget
that you can nominate him
or her as Player or DM of
the Month, with all the glory
and humiliation that comes
with it*
If that's not enough, now
there are two new ways you
can become a part of
Dr A GON Magazin e in the
coming year* While they
aren't contests in the tradi¬
tional sense, you might enjoy
the "prizes” they offer*
Campaign Worlds
Practically every week,
someone sends us a pro¬
posal for a series of articles
detailing his of her campaign
world, which the writer
assures us is the Next Big
Thing, Forget about the
Greyhawk, Forgotten Realms,
or Dragonlaimce settings: this
world is the one everyone
will be playing five years
from now—if only The witty
and handsome editors will
devote a few hundred pages
of Dragon to the authors
personal vision.
Weil, we re sick of these
letters, and even more sick
of turning them all down. So
at long last we re giving in *,.
under a few conditions.
Send us a very short
description of your cam¬
paign world s unique fea^
tures. When we say "short"
we mean liny-tike 200
words or fewer. You can
also include a map of the
world, but if should be a
photocopy no larger than four letter¬
sized sheets* In return, well show your
brainchild to a celebrity critic, someone
with plenty of experience in creating
great fantasy worlds. Each month, well
pick four or five of the most interesting
descriptions and print them, along with
the critic's comments and his or her
favorite entry. At the end of the year,
well pick one lucky finalist for a full¬
blown article {not a series!) presenting
the campaign world for all to explore.
It could be your world.
If you don't include a map, you can
send entries to scalemail@wizards.com
with the subject line "Campaign Clinic " If
you include a map, send it and the
description Together via regular post to:
Campaign Clinic ,L/C. Dragon Magazine
1601 Lind Avenue S.W.
Renton, WA 98055
All Right, Go Ahead
and Tell Us About Your Character
If designing worlds isn't your thing,
maybe you'd like to see how your char¬
acter design skills stack up. We've
tapped a few of the RPG R&tD gnomes
To examine your D&tD characters and
show you how to get the most out of the
new skills, feats, and multiclassing. rules.
Each month, well print the criteria for
another round of reviews. (If you want a
head start* check out the Dragon mes¬
sage board at www, wizards.com.) Until
then, send us any ist-level character
along with a short paragraph describing
your ideal of that character. "Shade is
the ultimate bounty hunter" is a good
start, “I want a character who can track
criminals and capture them alive" is
even better, because ifs more specific.
Each submission should be fewer than
200 words, including ability scores,
feats, skills, and a brief description of
what you'd like to accomplish with your
character. Each month, well choose a
few of the most interesting and let our
resident gnome show you how to make it
even better*
Send your characters to the same
address, but with "Character Clinic" in
the subject line or on the envelope.
While youVe at it, drop us a line to tell
us how you spent your summer. I hope
it had some gaming in it!
Dave Gross • Editor-In-Chief
 Servant of the Shard
R./V. Salvatore
The New York Times best-selunc
author of The Spine of the World
The dark elf Jartaxle is bent on becoming all-powerful
He gets his greedy hands on the Crystal Shard, but
soon the evil artifact's demonic force overcomes him.
His assassin compatriot, Artemis Entreri, tries to
help him break free, but the dark power of the
i Shard is too mighty. With time running out,
| they must seek help elsewhere.

The Nether Scroll Shadow's Witness The Cmr of RavensJ

Lynn Abbey Paul Kemp Richard Baker
Lost Empires Series Sembia Series The Dues Series
A young magic-user Gale, the loyal butler of jack Ravenwild's
sets out to avenge the Uskevren family, ambitions plunge him
the murder of his holds a terrible secret— into a plot to destroy
teacher and save her he knows the city of the city, a noble quest
son from a similar Selgaunt's dark comers. to find a lost hoard,
fate. Facing evil and When a ruthless evil is and a conspiracy to
treachery, he must unleashed, Gale’s ties to sente the reins of
brave the ruins of the underworld put the power. Worse yet, jack
Dekanter to find a enlire Uskevren family in must choose between
•Lynn-Abbey missing artifact that jeopardy. He has only a life of freedom and
might be a due to the one chance to prove saving the city he
source of all magic In his loyalty* doesn't even know
the Forgotten Realms, he loves*

UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURES
by Owen K.C. Stephens

Both sections of this article can be used to generate the name of a locationf such as a shop or tavern.
The first part; Sages, Shops, and Smithies, uses a method that generates the type of place first, followed
by the name. The second section, Taverns, generates the name before the type of establishment

Both methods can be used to generate an interesting name. Using the Taverns section first might
Inspire you to create a place you hadn't thought of before, just because it has an interesting name.
Using Sages, Shops, and Smithies allows you to come up with a random establishment on the spot.

Sages, Shops, and Smithies
Almost every group of adventurers
eventually comes back to town.
Whether the PCs seek to learn from the
local alchemist, repair their armor after
a long dungeon-crawl, or merely need a
place to buy additional supplies, adven¬
turers need a selection of shops, crafts¬
men, and sages. Whenever a DM tells
the players their characters have found
such a place of business, the players
respond all too often with the question,
"What's it called?''
Naming every business the PCs come
across might seem like a needless chore,
but it can add to the sense of reality
That some players crave. Rather than
simply going to an unnamed wayside
farmer's market, players who find their
characters standing outside The Rats
Apples might well ask themselves if
they d rather hunt in the woods for their
provisions. Similarly, a fighter who
needs some weapons repaired might
prefer the Crossed Arms Smithy to the
Iron House. It’s probably too much to
ask a DM to come up with names for
dozens of shops from scratch every
time a party of adventurers enters a
new Town. With the help of these name
generators, that won't be a problem.
The following six tables (A-f) cover
different types of businesses, such as
markets, shops, and stores for wizards
and sorcerers. Whenever a DM needs a
name she can roll on the appropriate
table to generate it. Each of these tables
includes directions to roll on one or
more of the numbered tables (1-8). If a
DM doesn’t like a particular name, she
can either make some changes or re-roll.
There are three methods for rolling
on each of the numbered tables. The
first is designed to generate names that
are more gnome or dwarven in sound.
The second method creates elven or fey
sounding names. The third Is the general
method and should be used when no
particular flavor of name Is desired. If
the DM has name generators for other
races (such as "By Any Other Name:
Elves” in Dragon #251), he might even
wish to translate such names partially or
wholly into another language.
For example, a DM finds she needs
the name of a smithy the PCs have
found by the edge of the road. She
decides to roll on Table C, getting a 6.
This leads her to roll once on Table 4
and once on Table j. Doing so, the DM
determines the smithy is named Broken
Beggar's Forge, If the DM doesn't like
that name, she can re-roll on just Table
4 or just Table 7 (perhaps producing
Beggars Forge or Broken Knights
Forge), or she could start back at
Table A.
Some shops, smithies, and farms are
named after a local or mythic figure, or
a creature or object associated with the
figure (such as a magic shop named
Mordenkainen’s Hound). Since these
figures vary from campaign to cam¬
paign, no such entries are provided on
any of the following charts. However,
the DM should always feel free to
insert such a figure into an establish¬
ment's name. Generally no more than
one in ten establishments is named
after a legendary person or object.

1o annual2ooo
How it Works Table A: Table D:
First roll on Table A and follow the FARMS AND MARKETS MERCHANT SHOPS
instructions given. For example, rolling Roll idio Roll id8
a V on a id 10 leads you to roll once on
Table Si to generate the first word of Table Sr Farms \ The Table Sis Table $6
the name, then once on Table Sz to
generate the second word, then add the The Table S7 's Market z from Tabic SB (s) to
Tabic SB (s)
word “Farms” to the end, yielding a The TableS/ ’s Table. S8_
resuil such as "Drunken Goaf Farms” &f Table SB 3 Traders Table ss

Table S8 S &t Table SB 4 Table S3 of Merchants

The Table S8 Table Sc 5 t .>bit ? 3 Table SB Dry Goods
The Table Si Table $7 's 6 The Table Si Table S7 Shop
Table SB &l Table SS
7 Table S6 Table SB &t Table SB
Barns 8 The hi s Bazaar
Square
The Table S7 S Tabic SS Table $5

Table Sfi Orchards

Table B: Table E:
LIBRARIES, SCHOLARS, AND ALCHEMISTS, SAGES,
MAGE SUPPLY STORES AND SPELLCASTERS
Roll id8 Roll id 8

The Table Ski Of Table 36 1 The Tabic Si Sage

The Tabic m Quill z Sorcerer’s * >

Tabic S5 of Table Sio (s) 3 The Table S7 S Table $12

Table 3ft
Table Sio Dl

The Tabic $7 ’$ Library 4 Table SG S £fl Potions

The Table Si Wizard 5 The *s Table S3

6 The Table Sis Table Sio

The Table Si2 Tibli

The fillli- &t Table Sio 7 The Table S3 of Table Sio S

8 The Table Siz Table S5

Table C: Table F:
SMITHIES AND ARMORIES I GENERIC BUSINESS NAMES
Roll idio Roll idio

labl Table Sr t Table Si 's Table S3

PAGE 12 PAGE 13 Table SG £>t Table S6 Smithy 2 The Table Table Sr

The s Tuhle S9 3 The Table S7

Si S? S3 S7 S8 S9 The Table Si Blacksmiths 4 The Table S7 5 1 1 bio S,|

T-jt;ii; s.i Table S6 monger 5 The Table SB

Table Table S7 S Forge 6 The table Sq Table S3

Table Sr, (s) Ot Table So (s) 7 The Table Si Table S7

The Table 8 The Table Sih Table S6

The 9 The r,1L>b: S.i

The Table . Table S5 10 The Table SG Table S5

S4 S5 S6 Sio Si 1 S12
 Table G: Table T2: Table Jt.
mm® ADJECTIVES
Roll ldioo
PEOPLE
Roll idioo
Roll idao

1~2 The t sbb Table T3 1 Arcane 51 Lusty 1 Acrobat 51 Journeyman

Example; "The Mystic Monk” 2 Amorous 52 Lyrical 2 Adventurer 52 Knight
3 Bearded 53 Magical 3 Alchemist 53
2-3 The _Iablo.T2 Table T4 4 Bleary 54 Majestic 4 Apprentice 54 Lord
Example: “The Cozy Centaur” 5 Boorish 55 Mighty 5 Archer 55 Mage
6 Brawny 56 Mirthful 6 Armorer 56 Maid
The Table Tq 's Tabic. Is._ 7 Bumbling 57 Modest 7 Bandit 57 Maiden
4-5
Example: "The Pirate’s Saber' 8 Charming 58 Mysterious 8 Barbarian 58 Master
9 Chuckling 59 Mystic g Bard 59 Mercenary
6-7 Table T3 Table T8 10 Clever 60 Nomadic 10 Barkeep 60 Merchant
Example: "Rogue’s Den” 11 Cloaked 61 Peaceful 11 Barmaid 61 Mistress
12 Comical 62 Prancing 12 Bartender 62 Monk
8 The _ table T* ’s Table Tg 13 Contented 63 Proud 13 Barlerer 63 Navigator
Example: "The Gnoll's Claw” 14 Cozy 64 Rakish 14 Beggar 64 Paladin
15 Crazy 65 Reveling 15 Blacksmith 65 Peasant
The Table T4 S Table U t6 Curious 66 Roaming 16 Bouncer 66 Pilgrim
9
Example: “The Gremlin's Lair” 17 Dancing 67 Roaring 17 Bowman 67 Pirate
18 Dangling 68 Rowdy 18 Brigand 68 Prankster
10 The TabJe Is 19 Dazzling 69 Rumbling 19 Carpenter 69 Priest
Example: "The Trident" 20 Dreaming 70 Sagely 20 Child 70 Priestess
21 Drooling 71 Shady 2t Cleric 71 Ranger
IT The Table T5 Dl
Table I5 22 Drowsy 72 Shifty 22 Cut purse 72 Rascal
in any order.)
(Combine ihe Iwo words 23 Drunken 73 SiBy 23 Cutthroat 73 RoSue
Example: "The Hook &t Sickle” 24 Famished 74 Singing 24 Druid 74 Sage
25 Fearsome 75 Sleeping 25 Drunkard 75 Sailor
12 The Table Ts £>t Table T6 26 Festive 76 Sleepy 26 Enchanter 76 Savage
(Combine the two words In any order.) 27 Flying 77 Slumbering 27 Enchantress 77 Scoundrel
Example: "The Bolt Ot Buckler” 28 Foppish 78 Sneezing 28 Falconer 78 Scribe
29 Frolicking 79 Snoring 29 Farmer 79 Serf
The Table T6 Ot Table Tfl 30 Gasping 80 Snoozing 30 Fisherman 80 Shipwright
13
(Combine the two words in any order.) 31 Gentle 81 Sorcerous 31 Fool 81 Shrew
Example: "The Cloak Ot Gauntlet" 32 Giddy 82 Sprightly 32 Forester 82 Soldier
33 Gleeful 83 Stalwart 33 Friend 83 Sorcerer
34 Hanging 84 Sloul 34 Gambler 84 Squire
H-15 The Table T7 Table T5
Example: “The Spinning Saber” 35 Harmless 85 Stuffed 35 God 85 Stranger
36 Hapless 86 Stumbling 36 Goddess 86 Thief
t6-T7 The Table T7 Table T6 37 HaPPy 87 Sturdy 37 Guard 87 Thug
Example: “The Golden Chalice" 38 Honest 88 Tattooed 38 Guardian 88 Trader
39 Honorable 89 Thirsty 39 Guardsman 89 Traveler
l8 The Table T7 Table T8 40 Humble 90 Thoughtless 40 Handmaiden 90 Urchin
Example: "The Silent Keep” 41 Hungry 91 Tickled 41 Harlot 91 Virgin
42 Impish 92 Timid 42 Hermit 92 Vixen
19 The abt T0 43 Innocent 93 T'psy 43 Hero 93 Waif
Example: "The Battlement" 44 Jolly 94 Tired 44 Highwayman 94 Wanderer
45 Jovial 95 Traveling 45 Horseman 95 Warrior
20 The it Table Tp 46 Juggling 96 Tumbling 46 Hunter 96 Weaver
Example: “The Cozy Cookhouse" 47 Lazy 97 Virtuous 47 Huntress 97 Wench
48 Laughing 98 Wandering 48 Illusionist 98 Whelp
49 Lucky 99 Weary 49 Jester gg Witch
50 Lumbering 100 Woozy 50 Jeweler 100 Wizard
Table Si; Table Sa: Table $q:
DESCRIPTIVES BEASTS ANIMAL DWELLINGS
Roll 3dm for dwarves, Roll 3dio for dwarves, Roll 184 for dwarves,
3dio+70 for elves, otherwise idioo 3dio+70 for elves, otherwise idioo 164+6 for elves, otherwise idio

01-04 frumpy 01-03 Serpent 51-53 Rooster 1 Den

05-08 Old 04-05 Badger 54-55 Tiger 2 Burrow
09-12 Stout 06-08 Frog 56-58 Hare 3 Lair
13-16 Crafty 09-10 Dragon 59-60 Wolf 4 Hole
17-20 Bold 11-13 Bat 61-63 Horse 5 Patch
21-24 Drunken 14-15 Boar 64-65 Wasp 6 Web
25-28 Sleeping 16-18 Mole 66-68 Raven 7 Lodge
29-32 Hearty 39-20 Bat 69-70 Eagle 8 Briar
33-36 Buxom 21-23 Hound 71_73 Gar 9 Nest
37-40 Blind 24-25 Ram 74-75 Bkioenix JO Eyrie
41-44 Crazy 26-28 Hog 76-78 Owl
45-48 Honest 29-30 Bear 79-80 Fox
49-52 Frowning 31-33 Monster 81-83 Hawk
53-56 Blinking 34"35 Eel 84-85 Pegasus
57-60 Wandering 36-38 Pullet 86-88 Drake
61-64 Welcoming 39-40 Beholder 89-90 Swan
65-68 Merry 41-43 Goaf 91-93 Stag
69-72 Good 44-45 Bul1 94-95 Falcon
73-76 Lucky 46-48 Lion 96-98 Unicorn
77-80 Laughing 49-50 Spider 99-100 Gryphon
81-84 Beautiful
85-88 Blue-eyed
89-92 Flying
93-96 Gallant
97-100 Fair

Table $4: Table Table S6r

PLACES flTEMS
Roil ^dio for dwarves, Roll id8+a for dwarves, Roll 3dro for dwarves,
4dro+6o for elves, otherwise idioo idio+20 for elves, otherwise 3dm 3dio+^o for elves, otherwise idioo

1-2 Wet 73"75 White 3 Clan 20 Moor 1-2 Lamp 51-52 Hammock
3"5 Half 76-78 Royal 4 Guild 2! Grove 3-4 Barrel 53-54 Tun
6-7 Red 79-81 Green 5 Keep 22 Court 5 Ale 55 Cobblestone
8-10 Secret 82-84 Wooden 6 Camp 23 Palace 6-7 Horn 56-57 Broom
11-13 Black 85-90 Roll on S?2 7 Bailey 24 Garden 8-9 Earth 58-59 Cart
14-19 Roll on $11 91-93 Blue 8 Bridge 25 Forest 10 Nail 60-62 Roll on Sg
20-21 Short 94-96 Ancient 9 Gate 26 House !i-i2 Arms 63-64 Board
22-24 Buried 97-100 Mystic 10 Castle 27 Lodge 13-14 Cleaver 65 Skull
25-27 Qray 11 Donjon 28 Vale 15 Anvil 66-67 Crown
28-30 Crossed 12 Ford 29 Meadow 16-17 Mug 68-69 'Lily
31-33 Honored !3 . Balcony 30 Coliseum 18-24 Roll on Sg 70 Star
34-36 Broken >4 Abby 25 Rock 71-72 Rod
37-39 Fireside ’5 Home 26-27 Boot 73-74 Crystal
40-42 Yellow 16 Room 28-29 Stone 75 Sun
43-45 T™ <7 Dale 30 Cork 76-77 Oak
46-48 Three 18 Barn 3T"32 Miter 78-79 Flute
49-51 Four '9 Galleon Anchor 80 Acorn
33-34
52-54 Five Fire 81-82 Air
35 '
55-57 Burning Basket 83-84 Staff
36”3 7
58-60 Frozen Book 85 Harp
3^ 39
61-63 Ashen 40 Coal 86-93 R<?| on Sg
64-66 Sweet 41-42 Bell 94 Rose
67-69 Hidden Bottle 95-96 Ring
43-44
70-72 Shining Caindle 97 Wand
45
46-47 Ash 98-99 Moon
48-49 Cup 100 Elm
50 Water

2 annual 2ooo
Table $7: Table S8: Table Sg:
PEOPLE FOOD ARMS AND ARMOR
Roll id8+3 for dwarves, Roll idto for dwarves, Roll idio for dwarves,
idio+30 for elves, otherwise 4dm id8+m for elves, otherwise idzo idio+io for elves, otherwise 1820

4 Warrior 26 Dwarf 1 Sausage 1 Gauntlet

5 Brewer 27 Gnome 2 Ale 2 Axe
6 Baker 28 Angel 3 Roast 3 Pick
7 Priest 29 Mariner 4 Mead 4 Helm
8 Merchant 30 Druid 5 Cabbage 5 Hammer
9 Lad 31 Lady 6 Mushroom 6 Pike
10 Lass 32 Lord 7 Soup 7 Mace
m Smith 33 Scholar 8 Pepper 8 Fiat!
12 Hero 34 Wizard 9 Cheese 9 Bolt
13 Witch 35 Kn'ghf to Bread 10 Hatchet
14 Corsair 38 Archer 11 Rye 11 Greave
15 Paladin 37 Dancer 12 Barley 12 Btade
16 Beggar 38 Woodsman >3 Fowl 13 Spur
57 Hag 39 Harper Cream M Mail
18 Brigand 40 Bard '5 Pastry 15 Spear
19 Sister l6 Berry 16 Dagger
20 Brother 17 Apple l7 Arrow
2] Mother l8 Wine 18 Shield
22 Father <9 Milk 19 Lance
23 Jester 20 Cake 20 Sword
24 Elf
25 Hatfling

Table Sto: Table S11: Table Sia:

WRITINGS METALS ■■MH MAGIC
Roll 184 for dwarves, Roll id4 for dwarves. Roll id4 for dwarves*
186+4 for elves, otherwise idio 184+6 for elves, otherwise idio 184+4 for elves* otherwise id8

1 Runesione Iron 1 Runic

a Book 2 Steel 2 Cryptic
3 Tome 3 Mithril 3 Magical
4 Manual 4 Brass 4 Divine
5 Text 5 Copper 5 Arcane
6 Parchment 6 Bronze 6 Mystic
7 Scroll 7 Silver 7 Secret
8 Folio 8 Gold 8 Sorcerous
9 Script 9 Platinum
10 Page 10 Adamantine

yrUj< IIfj1 I § plMiil

■

1 w w '' 1 1 ' s,<'1 vVu

mmmmmSMmm
by Christoper West
The heal tavern is a common feature
of nearly every town or city an adven¬
turing party is likely to enter during the
course of a DQtD campaign, it might he
cliche, hut a vast number of campaigns
begin and end within the walls of a
popular drinking establishment.
Considering how much time adventur¬
ers often spend in such places, it seems
fitting that each one should have its
own unique name and personality.
AH too often, though inns and tav¬
erns begin to sound alike, Knowing how
many of them a typical character visits
during his adventuring career, this
shouldn't come as a big surprise, After
aiif DMs have whole worlds to populatet
and its easy to gloss over each inn with
a generic treatment while worrying
about the layout and devious traps of a
nearby dungeon. Ultimately, however,
inns and taverns are some of the most
Important locations an adventuring
party ever visits. Within the waifs of an
inn or tavern fights break out; allies are
met| rumors are exchanged, and heroes
and villains alike find shelter.
These tables wifi help you come up
with freshr original, and often amusing
names for every tavern your charac¬
ters enter. Usually the name wifi then
suggest a theme or atmosphere for the
place; a clever DM can turn a simple
tavern name into a distinct and memo¬
rable identity. The players probably
won't remember the unremarkable inn
their characters last visited, but they're
sure to recall the “Happy Halfling
Alehouse" and the amusing antics of its
bumbling yet cheerful proprietor.
14 annual 2ooo
How It Works
The tables below provide a wide variety
of rolling options lo create different
tavern names. Begin by rolling id20 and
comparing your result to Table Tt. This
suggests a roll or a series of rolls that
you can make to produce a name. If
you like one particular name type fisted
on Table Ti, feef free to disregard the
rest of them and roll the specific gen¬
eration option that interests you.
You might find that many of the
names created with this system seem
absurd or just don't sound quile right.
In the case of words with two or more
partst try discarding one of the words
and picking a replacement word that
begins with the same letter as the word
you kept. For example. "The Dancing
Dagger" might have a better ring to it
than "The Dancing Talon ” Also, don’t
forget that a weird-sounding name
might be valuable in suggesting an
amusing theme or background for the
place: The "Roaring Pixie Inn" might be
named after a diminutive guest who
snored so loud that she woke the
whole neighborhood. _ _ __
PAGE 15
If nothing else seems to work for you,
it's fine to Ignore the dice altogether
and simply pick words from the various
tables to build a name for your tavern.
Remember: While the tables below
allow for the creation of a vast number
of tavern names, they should not be
considered complete. If you think of a
word that would be great for a name
but isn’t included on these tables, by all
means use it! This article is intended to
spawn ideas, not limit them. Have fun
with it!
After the name is generated, you
might wish to randomly select a type of
establishment by rolling on Table Tg.
Some buildings are commonly referred
to with their full designation; other's
aren't. For example, "The Weary
Wanderer Inn" might be called "The
Weary Wanderer" (or even "The
Wanderer") by many local residents.
Feel free to disregard Table Tg if you
don't plan on using such designations.
PAGE 16 PAGE 17
Table Ta: Table Table T6:
CREATURES WEAPONS I ITEMS
Roll idioo Roil idioo Roll idioo

1 Banshee 51 Jackal t Arquebus 51 Longsword 1 Ale 51 Lamp

2 Bear 52 KoboJd 2 Arrow 52 Mace 2 Anvil 52 Lantern
3 Beast 53 Leprechaun 3 Awl 53 Mallet 3 Armor 53 Mask
4 Brownie 54 Lich 4 Axe 54 Mancatcher 4 Banner 54 Mast
5 SuS 55 Manticore 5 Ballista 55 Missile 5 Barding 55 Mead
6 Bugbear 56 Mare 6 Bardiche 56 Morningstar 6 Barrel 56 Mirror
7 Cat 57 Mermaid 7 Bastard sword 57 Needle 7 Bauble 57 Mug
8 Centaur 58 Merman 8 Battleaxe 58 Net 8 Bell 58 Portal
9 Chicken 59 Minotaur 9 Battlehammer 59 Partisan 9 Biscuit 59 Potion
10 Chimera 60 Mongrel to Blade 60 Pick to Bone 60 Pouch
11 Choker 6t Monster ti Blowgun 6t Pike 11 Boot 61 Purse
is Cockatrice 62 Mule 12 Bolt 62 Point 12 Bottle 62 Quiver
13 Cow 63 Mummy 13 Bow 63 Pole 13 Bracer 63 Ring
14 Cur 64 Naga 14 Broadsword 64 Polearm 14 Brand 64 Rose
15 Demon 85 Nymph 15 Bullet 65 Poleaxe 15 Bread 65 Rune
16 Devil 86 Ogre t6 Cannon 66 Quarrel 16 Breastplate 66 Sail
17 Dog 67 Ore \j Cantrip 67 Quarterstaff 17 Buckle 67 Scabbard
18 Doppleganger 68 Owl 18 Catapult 68 Ranseur 18 Buckler 68 Scales
ig Dragon 69 Owlbear 19 Crook 6g Rapier 19 Cage 69 Shield
20 Drake 70 Pech 20 Claw 70 Razor 20 Candle 70 Sheath
21 Drow 71 Pegasus 21 Cleaver 71 Rod 21 Cap 71 Sigif
2Z Dryad 72 Phoenix 22 Club 72 Saber 22 Chalice 72 Skirt
23 Duck 73 23 Conjuration 73 Scimilar 23 Cloak 73 Skull
24 Dwarf 74 Pixie 24 Crossbow 74 Scourge 24 Coin 74 Soup
25 Eagle 75 Poltergeist 25 Cutlass 75 Shaft 25 Crest 75 sPel1
26 Elf 76 Pony 26 Dagger 76 Shield 26 Crock 76 Spellhook
27 Faerie 77 Rat 27 Dart 77 Short sword 27 Crown 77 Spice
28 Falcon 78 Satyr 28 Dirk 78 Sickle 28 Crystal 78 Spike
zg Familiar 79 Sea nymph 29 Edge 79 Sling 29 Cup 79 Spirits
30 Gargoyle 80 Serpent 30 Fang 80 Snare 30 Dress 80 Spoon
31 Genie 8t Shade 31 Fauchard 81 Spear 31 Flag 81 Standard
32 Giant 82 Shadow 32 Fist 82 Spell 32 Flask 82 Steel
33 Gnoll 83 Sphinx 33 Flail 83 Spetum 33 Flinl 83 Stew
34 Gnome 84 Spirit 34 Fork 84 Spike 34 Gate 84 Stone
35 Goat 85 Sprite 35 Glaive 85 Spine 35 Gauntlet 85 Stool
36 Goblin 86 Stallion 36 Greatsword 86 Staff 36 Gem 86 Symbol
37 Gremlin 87 Swanmay 37 Guisarme 87 Stake 37 Glass 87 Table
38 Griffon 88 Titan 38 Haft 88 Stick 38 Glove 88 Tack
39 Half-elf 89 Treant 39 Halberd 89 Stone 39 Harness 89 Tackle
40 Half“Orc 90 Troglodyte 40 Hammer 90 Sword 40 Helm 90 Tankard
41 Halfimg gi Troll 41 Handaxe 91 Talon 41 Helmet 91 Tinder
42 Harpy 92 Unicorn 42 Handle 92 Thorn 42 Hilt 92 Torch
43 Hawk 93 Vampire 43 Harpoon 93 Tooth 43 Hood 93 Treasure
44 Hlppogriff 94 Werebear 44 Hatchet 94 Trap 44 Horn 94 Trinket
45 Hobgoblin 95 Wererat 45 Hook 95 Trident 45 Jewel 95 trophy
46 Hog 96 Werewolf 48 Javelin 96 Vouige 46 Keg 96 Tunic
47 Horse 97 Wolf 47 Khopesh 97 Wand 47 Kettle 97 Whetstone
48 Hound 98 Worm 48 Kick 98 Waraxe 48 Key 98 Whistle
49 Human 99 Wyrm 49 Knife 99 Warhammer 49 Kilt 99 Window
50 Imp 100 Wyvern 50 Lance 100 Whip 50 Ladder too Wine
Table T7: Table T8:
ITEM DESCRIPTIONS PLACES
Roll idao

1 Amazing 51 Helpful 1 Battlement

2 Ancient 52 Invisible 2 Castle
3 Astra! 53 Lawful 3 Cave
4 Avenging 54 Magical 4 Cove
5 Baleful 55 Mighty 5 Crypt
6 Baneful 56 Missing 6 Den
7 Bashing 57 Misty 7 Dungeon
8 Battered 58 Mirhril 8 Haven
9 Battering 59 Mystic 9 Hall
10 Biting 60 Neutral 10 Hideout
n Blazing 81 New-forged n House
12 Bludgeoning 62 Nicked 12 Keep
13 Brandished 63 Ornate *3 Labyrinth
14 Brass 64 Polished 14 Lair
15 Broken 65 Remarkable !5 Landing
t6 Bronze 86 Royal 16 Rookery
17 Chaotic 67 Rusty V Temple
■18 Colorful 68 Sentient 18 Tomb
I SEEKING QUT-QF~PRtNTMODULES?
19 Conjured 8g Sharpened *9 Tower
20 Copper 70 Shattered 20 Vault
21 Cracked 71 Shimmering
22 Cutting 72 Shining
23 Dancing 73 Shiny http^/www,hitpointe.com
24 Dangerous 74 Silent M jhI '■QnJtr Cajnc SK'fpc
Specahact to LLj*d aw] Qut-itf-Fruu
25 Disappearing 75 Silver
26 Dulled 76 Singing
NtL i:,smp»riEr? Wnlt torturon ptwc laH
Zj Dusty 77 Skewering
LU N Park Bh d Suite 351. UXt Origin ME 4XWI
28 Empty 78 Slashing Table To;
29 Enchanted 79 Spinning ESTABLISHMENTS
30 Ethereal 80 Splendid
31 Fabulous 8t Splintering
32 Fearless 82 Split
Discover Dragons!
33 Fearsome 83 Stabbing Encounter rare,
34 Flaming 84 Stinging mysterious, &
35 Flawless 85 Stolen whimsical dragons in
36 Flying 86 Sturdy , the world s only
37 Frail 87 Swinging 7^ all dragon catalog!
38 Fresh 88 Swirling Unique gifts &
39 Frightening 89 Tarnished collectibles, t-shirts,
40 Frosty 90 Tasty prints, pewter, &
41 Frozen 91 Tawdry limited edition artifacts.
42 Furious 92 Turning
i * Dancing Dragon*
43 Glass 93 Twisted
44 Glorious 94 Unforgettable www.dancingdragonx
45 Golden 95 Unremarkable
46 Grim 96 Vengeful
47 Gruesome 97 Vorpal
48 Handy 98 Wooden
49 Heavy 99 Weathered
50 Hefty too Whistling
20 Ways to Launch New Adventures
by Christopher Wilkes • illustrated by Terry Dykstra
You are all seated at the corner
table in the local tavern, just
about to raise your mugs to
toast your new company of
adventurers, when a stranger’s
shadow falls across the table. In
the sudden silence, his sibilant
voice is dear. “I would like to
hire you for a job ...”
18 annual 2ogo
R ow many times have you seen
campaigns begin with the
tired cliche of a job offer?
Yet the first session often
sets the tone for an entire
campaign. Wouldn't you rather have
your next campaign explode with
unexpected danger? When the plot
suddenly twists, your players wifi be
counting the days until your next ses¬
sion. Try something different, and your
players will remember the start of that
campaign long after their characters
are dust or demigods.
To help kick-start your next cam¬
paign, here are twenty unusual hooks
especially appropriate for the first
adventure. They are grouped into four
general categories. “Roof!” hooks sud¬
denly drop the characters Into an
unexpected world. “Imprisoned” hooks
place the characters into a position of
instant danger, while in the “Castaways"
hooks, the characters must overcome
great adversity to get back home.
Finally, the “Mystery" hooks place the
characters in familiar surroundings with
mysterious happenings.

WE’RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE
Market day takes an exceptional turn
when a bidding war between wizards
erupts into a magical duel While
everyone is scrambling for cover, a
spell engulfs the characters and a push¬
cart or two. Stranded in an unknown
land, ignorant of the local language, and
perhaps missing some equipment, the
group faces a rocky road. The PCs will
hope there is something good in those
pushcarts.
THE TWILIGHT TOWER
The PCs awake in a large tower that
stands alone amid a dreary marsh. They
have amnesia yet retain skills, feats,
spells, and abilities—but no personal
knowledge, not even of each other.
Suitable equipment for each PC is pres¬
ent, as are provisions for several
months. If they leave the tower, they
feel nauseous, and the farther they go
the worse it gets. In the floor of the
tower's lowest basement is a large and
heavily barred trap door.
THE OTHER SIDE
The characters are siblings or cousins
who have received a bequest from
Their deceased grandmother to be
shared between them. Part of the
bequest is a marvelously detailed
tapestry of an exotic castle. The Tapes¬
try is a magical doorway through which
they can come and go at will into the
unknown kingdom it depicts.
DAWN OF THE LIVING DEAD
Oops, the PCs die! This works best if
you stage a climactic battle or sink their
ship in a hurricane. No matter how,
they shuffle off this mortal coil Then,
suddenly, still shivering from the ley
touch of their deaths, they re alive
again. Wearing shrouds, they awake
lying on marble slabs in a ruined tem¬
ple. Nearby, a bejeweled gold medallion
glitters in the still-smoking charred
remains of a dead being.
POOF
GARDEN VARIETY HEROES
The PCs run afoul of a sorceress who
turns her problems into decorative gar¬
den statuary. Centuries later, their old
enemy is long gone, and the manse now
belongs to another mage. His taste in
statuary is different, and he reverses
the spells because he has a mission
for them:
“Your services will pay for the spells I
used to bring you back,” he says. “Now
get cracking, and mind you don’t leave
any pigeon droppings on the rugs!"
/. THE GREAT ESCAPE
J
The PCs are prisoners chained together
in a coffle and marching 10 a prison
camp. A surprise attack by an enraged
grizzly bear distracts the guards and
kilts enough of them before it dies that
the PCs can overpower the rest. From
overheard conversations, the group
knows that the camp lies a few miles
ahead. There, many other prisoners are
under light guard. Do they dare to free
the rest of the prisoners, or do they
just run for the hills?
8. JAIL BREAK
__/
For reasons best left to the players to
invent, their PCs are residents of the
city jail awaiting the dispensation of
justice when fate intervenes. A severe
earthquake shakes the building and
collapses the walls of their cell and the
jail. Not only are they free, but the city
has far more to worry about than a
few escapees. Fires have started, and
looters are drifting through the shat¬
tered city.
A SURPRISE PARTY
It’s a quiet night at the lavern, The PCs
are almost alone in the common room.
Just as they lift tankards for a toast to
auspicious beginnings, a bright purple
Sight floods the common room, A hole
in the air above their table loudly tears
open, and howling kobolds in dark
cowled robes wielding blackened silver
knives begin jumping through. They
leap in three and four at a time until at
least a score are present, all screaming
and attacking everyone in sight.
Regardless of the outcome of the
melee, the jagged hole In the air does
not go away. It continues to emit a
glaring purple light, a strange spicy-
smelling mist, and whatever else tickles
the DM’s fancy.
L
9. NIGHTMARES
The PCs1 beauty sleep is rudely inter¬
rupted when the roadside inn they’re
staying at comes under sudden attack.
Raiders have set the inn afire and are
slaughtering confused patrons as they
stumble out Awakened by the shouts,
the PCs are surrounded by chaos and
smoke, with sudden death awaiting
without.
/-v
10. ROOMMATES
^_—---/
Each PC, new to the city and unac¬
quainted with the other PCs, jumps at a
great deal on a fantastic magic item.
The problem is they’ve been conned by
a slick operator and have all bought the
same house. The con man and their
money are gone when, on moving day,
they all arrive with legal copies of the
deed to the house. They must come to
some agreement before the constabu¬
lary arrives, “tipped off” that the PCs
were robbing the house.
 CASTAWAYS 1
f SWISS FAMILY CHARACTERS

A rough ocean voyage rums into a fight

13. THERE’S NO LIFELIKE
D C
As hired mercenaries, the PCs and their
15. YES, MASTER

With a sudden mental snap, the PCs

for life as the PCs' ship founders during
a storm. The crew takes to the boats
and disappears, abandoning the group.
The sinking ship is driven upon rocks
and starts to break up at the height of
the storm's Fury. The PCs are the only
survivors, and they awake the next
morning on the sands of a seemingly
unpopulated island beach amid the flot¬
sam and jetsam of their sundered ship.
12. INTERESTING TINES
unit march through the night to join the
main army* Out of nowhere they are
ambushed by a vastly superior force.
As the battle degenerates into scream¬
ing chaos, the PCs find themselves near
its edge, right beside the wagon con¬
taining the paymaster's war chest 1 Of
course, even if they do escape with it,
their unit is destroyed; they are tired,
lost, cut off from friendly forces, and
deep inside a war zone.
are aware that their surroundings
have drastically changed. They find
themselves scattered throughout an
otherwise deserted mansion wearing
strange outfits. They are dressed as
cooks, maids, butlers, harem girls, or
guards. Sprawled on the floor of the
dining room, beside a spilled goblet
of poisoned wine, is the body of a
tail dark man. The last thing any of
them remembers is that man saying,
“! would like to hire you for a job."

The characters are home, but home is in

terrible trouble. An unstoppable coali¬
tion of evil humanoids smashes the local
army and overruns the entire country
before breaking up into clans fighting
for the spoils. The PCs come back From
a sojourn, only to find black smoke bil¬
lowing from the local towns and
internecine warfare rampant in the land.
Sentenced to exile in the wastes of the
Endless Sands for unknowingly trans¬
gressing the laws of the land, the PCs
are forced out of the city. Behind them
on the ramparts, a priest of the city's
temple proclaims their crimes to the
crowd inside the city, while soldiers
close the great bronze gates. The sun
bears upon the trackless dunes of the
vast desert.

MYSTERY
c 16. THE FUGITIVES

lured to an isolated ruin a day s jour¬

ney from town by an anonymous note
promising a lucrative job, the PCs find
no one. On the way back they spot a
wanted poster for themselves! While
away, they were framed for a crime
they didn't commit, and now they have
a price on their heads.
hi" THE ENEMY OF MY FRIEND
D
invited to a friend's estate to celebrate
her engagement, the PCs instead dis¬
they are now the sole owners* Of
course, the rumors say The mine has a
death curse on it, the Captain of the
Civic Guard considers the PCs to be
cover mayhem underway. Their friend the prime suspects in the deaths of the
is dead, and her fiance is being pulled, other investors, and the real murderer
kicking and screaming, through 3 magic considers them the next victims.
portal by hulking humanoids. Delayed
by a rearguard, the group has just
enough time to follow before the portal
closes, if they do, they exit at a lake c 20. i KNOW WHAT YOU DID

D
l/. THE FORBIDDEN ZONE
During a trip by stagecoach, the PCs
and their fellow travelers are suddenly
paralyzed. Large apes appear and begin
over 20 leagues away, only to see the
abductors aboard a boat already
underway. Then the portal-the only
way home—winks out of existence*
Each PC receives a token of proof that
someone knows about a very embar¬
rassing or deadly secret in their pasts.
Let the players each decide their PCs
secret. Arriving singly at a clandestine

carrying off victims one by one. When
only the PCs remain, bright flashes and
the sound of combat come from out¬
side the coach. The paralysis wears off,
but there is no sign of the other travel-
ers, the abductors, or their foes.
C
pay-off meeting with the blackmailer
IQ. MURDER MOST FOUL (or possibly an ambush), the PCs dis¬
cover a body with a stiletto In its back*
The PCs are all investors in the Blue
Yonder mine. One by one, all the other
investors have died in suspicious acci¬
dents. The group should rejoice, for

2o annual 2ooo
 Raised by

Savior,
DESfiriED to
Destroy
Pkepare for. An
ORjGinAL Epic--
FAntASY RPG.

CorninG in 2000

UJ UHJU. S \f .ITT m OTTER: .GOtil'

i
r “v- ' , > . / ,
t - volition
-
1 ' i '-
. ' ^Wi|^rjb^^®l:Vdltii3nr Inc. PuhBsiied exdui ply hjrmb int Summa usi. flirStuniWBiM logo, Voflcidp &f v$$wr. fat':: _ *
THG.%) V^-TjQfog?sreTfaderca'jiS *rd l nr registered (tarismarte< 'THG lii:'. AH rights ra&gtveK PiaySiatiun and [he Piav3taitfrfi{r|og a! ?i,sj& fHjSiwips gf Sony t&mputer Enieriairitfishi: rnd.
by Stephen Schubert • illustrated by David Day
M eldar the Great, as he called him-
self, was one of rhe most power¬
ful and evil ray-slinging sorcerers
in history* He developed ray spells that
were particularly suited to defeating
those who tried to destroy him*
For the mighty warriors and paladins
that came knocking on his tower door,
Meldar created rays to drain their
strength and resolve: ray of weakness
and ray of entropy. Rival wizards sent
their own creations, but their golems fell
to his ray of deanimation before they
crossed his drawbridge, and their
hordes of undead were cut down by his
greater disrupt undead rays* When the
wizards deigned to show themselves,
rays of stupidity would rain down to rob
them of their best spells.
Meldars power over the ray allowed
him to refocus *he energy of his spells*
He could cause a ray to affect more
than one target or appear as a cone of
magical energy that affected everyone
in its path* Even more alarming were
the rumors of Meldar casting a ray spell
that struck everyone around him.
Even if Meldars rivals had defeated
him, they would not have found his
secrets* Meldar was a sorcerer, so he
kept no speilbooks or research notes.
His knowledge was his alone—until he
crossed paths with Helvarian*
Helvarian Sihdenueven was a peaceful
elven wizard* But when Meldar invaded
22 annual 2ooo
and destroyed much of his homeland just
to obtain some rare spell components,
Helvarian vowed to see Meldar pay. The
good eiven mage knew he was no match
for Meldar’s power, so he became deter¬
mined to find a weakness and exploit it.
He dusted off his crystal ball and began
to watch and learn.
Helvarian studied Meldars habits and
behaviors, but more importantly he
studied Meldar s spells and casting
methods, in addition to the above-men¬
tioned spells, Helvarian witnessed the
rust ray, the targeting ray and the utili¬
tarian ray of light. He saw Meldar affect
the abilities of his foes with ray of clum¬
siness and ray of sickness.
He rook detailed notes on every spell,
and in rime his understanding of the
theories and applications of ray spells
surpassed even that of Meldar*
Helvarian then designed ray spells of his
own, including the stun rayf sting ray,
distracting ray, and the ray of dizziness.
Once he understood the ray's mechan¬
ics, if was a relatively simple matter to
create rhe perfect defense: reflection.
He was able to implement different rays
of reflection specifically designed to
combat ray effects.
Of course, during the years that
Meldar was being studied he continued
to grow in power. Helvarian knew that
he could not face Meldar directly and
hope to win, nor was that ever his goal.
Helvarian instead compiled his notes and
carefully made three copies. He bound
each copy into a book and sent them to
three of Meldar's strongest foes.
Only Helvarian’s spellbook contains all
of the spells that were documented and
researched. These spells and his notes
were bound into one large tome, fully
one hand thick when dosed. The cover
and spine were carved from a fallen
oak tree, and then protected by black
gorgon leather. Embossed In gold on the
spine is the title, in Elven, Rays of Light.
The pages have varying looks to them,
ranging from fine parchment covered in
Helvarian’s notes to the rare pages
holding rhe final spells. The book has no
lock or clasp*
The three copies made for Meldar s
enemies detail the workings of the ray,
but each of them contains less than half
of the full body of work (some spells
appear in more than one copy). The
covers are made of Ve-inch thick elven
steel, polished to a mirrorlike finish. The
tomes are enchanted to protect against
rust and the elements. Inscribed on the
cover in flowing Elven is the same title
as the original work: Rays of Light. The
spine is elven steel as well, with golden
hinges riveted to the spine and covers*
The pages are finely pressed and
treated bark from an ancient stand of
aspen trees. They are filled with words
m the flowing hand of Helvarian; every-
thing is written in Elven except where
the arcane language is used. The books
each have exactly 91 pages, with 80
pages of spells and 11 pages of notes
detailing ray spells and how to enhance
them. Holding each book closed is an
intricately designed lock made of gold
and elven steel. The lock, however, is a
ruse and has no mechanical means of
iST-LEVEL SPELLS
Ray of Clumsiness
Transmutation
Level: Sor/Waz 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: One action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft,/a levels)
Effect: Ray
Duration: 1 mlnute/level
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
A crackling ray leaps from the caster s
outstretched hand, requiring a success¬
ful ranged Touch attack to hit. The
energy of the ray stiffens the target's
muscles and joints, making it more diffi¬
cult for the target to move. The subject
suffers a -id6 enhancement penalty to
Dexterity, with an additional -1 per two
caster levels (maximum additional
penalty of -5). This subject’s Dexterity
score cannot drop below 1.
Ray of Flame
Evocation [Flame]
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, F
Casting Time: One action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft/2 levels)
Effect: Ray
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None (see text)
Spell Resistance: Yes
A burning ray shoots out at the target;
with a successful ranged touch attack,
it deals kJ6 points of fire damage, plus \
point per caster level (up to +5). If the
target or its equipment is flammable,
the target must also make a Reflex save
or catch fire, taking rd6 points of fire
damage the Following round.
Focus: a small, polished glass lens.
Ray of Light_
Evocation [Light]
Level: Brd r, Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: One action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ftJz levels)
opening. Instead, the expectant reader
must intone, "Meldar the Great?”
phrased as a question—a bit of a joke on
The part of Helvarian. Once the words
are spoken, the lock opens with a click.
It is believed that one of the copies
was destroyed during a failed attempt to
defeat Meldar. A second copy never
made it to its destination, as a red
Effect: Cone of light or ray
Duration: \o minutes/level (D) or
instantaneous
Saving Throw: See text
Spell Resistance: See text
A narrow cone of light is emitted from
the caster's palm. This light provides
illumination equivalent in intensity to a
torch.
Instead of the sustained light, the spell
can be focused into a short ray and
directed at the eyes of a target. If the
caster succeeds at a ranged touch
arrack, the subject is blinded for id4
rounds (Fortitude save negates and spell
resistance applies). A blind character, in
addition to the obvious effects, suffers a
50% miss chance tn combat (all oppo¬
nents have full concealment), loses any
Dexterity bonus to AC, grants a +2
bonus to attackers' attack rolls (they are
effectively invisible), moves at half
speed, and suffers a -4 penalty on most
Strength- and Dexterify-based skills.
Stun Ray__^_
Conjuration (Creation) [Electricity]
Level: Sor/Wiz i
Components: VT ST M
Casting Time: One action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft ./a levels)
Effect: Ray
Duration: 1 round plus 164 rounds
Saving Throw: Fortitude partial
Spell Resistance: Yes
A quick jolt of electricity darts from the
caster to the target. This ray of electric¬
ity requires a successful ranged touch
attack to hit The target is stunned by
rhe ensuing shock for one round and an
additional id4 rounds unless a success¬
ful Fortitude save is made.
Material component: a coiled
copper wire.
Targeting Ray_
Divination
Level: Brd 1, Sor/Wiz i
Components: V, ST F
Casting Time: One action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
dragon allegedly waylaid the tome's
courier. The third copy, whose contents
are presented here, was passed from its
wizard owner to his apprentice, then to
his apprentice, and so on. It is well worn
from two hundred years of use.
Effect: Ray
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
The caster creates a luminous ray that,
with a successful ranged touch attack,
pulsates between the target and the
caster. The ray acts as a rangefinder
for the caster and any allies within 20
feet of her. It provides a +1 insight
bonus per three caster levels to all
ranged attacks at the target for the
duration of the spell. The caster s allies
need not see the caster, but they must
be able to see the ray. The caster can
otherwise act normally for the duration
of the spell. Allies who can see the tar-
get receive the bonus even if the
caster loses line of sight.
Focus: a small metal or stone tube.
2ND-LEVEL SPELLS
Distracting Ray_
Abjuration
Level: Brd 2, Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: One action
Range: Close (25 Ft. + 5 f\Ji levels)
Effect: Ray
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
This ray attempts to undo magic as it is
being cast. Used in the same manner as
a counter spell (as a readied action), the
ray interferes with the manipulation of
divine or arcane magic by dazzling rhe
target with bizarre swirling and flashing
lights. If the ray successfully strikes a
spellcaster (ranged touch attack roll
required), and that spellcaster is in the
process of casting a spell, then the
target spellcaster must make a Con¬
centration check to avoid losing his
spell. The DC of the Concentration
check is equal to the save DC of the
distracting ray (12 4- caster's relevant
ability modifier) + spell level of the spell
the target is casting + i/level of the
caster. Thus, if a 3rd-level wizard with
an Intelligence of 16 attempts to cast a
distracting ray on a sorcerer casting a
fireball spell, the sorcerer would need to
make a Concentration check with a DC
of 21 (15 [distracting rays save DC] + 3
[fireball's spell level] + 3 [wizard's level]).
Ray of Dizziness
Enchantment (Compulsion)
[Mind-Affecting]
Level: Brd 2, Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V, $, F
Casting Time: One action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ftJz levels)
Effect: Ray
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
The ray from this spell shoots toward
the target in a spiraling corkscrew. If
the ranged touch attack is successful
and the saving throw is failed, then the
target experiences strong feelings of
vertigo and is considered to be stag¬
gered. Staggered characters can only
take partial actions when they could
normally take standard actions. In addi¬
tion, affected characters suffer a -2
penalty to AC, melee attack rolls, melee
damage rolls, and Reflex saves.
Focus: a small top.
Ray of Sickness_
Necromancy
Level: Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: One action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft/2 levels)
Effect: Ray
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
With a successful ranged touch attack, a
sickly green ray strikes the target. The
ray makes the target temporarily nause¬
ated. Nauseated characters are unable
to attack, cast or concentrate on spells,
or do anything else requiring attention.
The only action an affected character
can take is a single move (or a move-
equivalent action) per round.
Ray of Ice
Evocation [Cold]
Level: Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V, Sr M
Casting Time: One action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ftJz levels)
Effect: Ray
Duration: Instantaneous
24 annual 2ooo
Saving Throw: See text
Spell Resistance: Yes
A cyan ray beams from the casters
fingertips and, with a successful ranged
touch attack, hits the target. If used as
a simple attack, the ray inflicts id6
points of cold damage for every 2 lev¬
els of the caster, to a maximum of 5d6
at 10th level. A Fortitude save halves
the damage.
Alternatively, the ray can be used
to encase objects or targets in ice. A
sword could be frozen in its scabbard,
feet frozen to the floor, and so on.
Freezing an item or a creature still
requires a successful ranged touch
attack, and creatures are allowed a
Reflex saving throw to avoid being
trapped. Freeing encased items (includ¬
ing feet) is a standard action and
requires a Strength check with a DC
equat to the spells save DC. A creature
whose feel are frozen to the floor
receives no Dexterity bonus to AC and
incurs a -2 penalty to attack rolls.
If used on a body of water, the spell
freezes a circular area with a diameter
in feet equal to the caster s level (maxi¬
mum of to feet diameter), to a thick¬
ness of the caster's level in inches
(maximum 10 inches).
Material Component: snow, ice, or
melted snow or ice.
Ray of Stupidity _ With a successful ranged touch attack,
Enchantment (Compulsion)
[Mind-Affecting]
Level: Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: One action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ftJ2 levels)
Effect: Ray
Duration: 1 minute/level
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
With a successful ranged touch attack,
a bright yellow beam strikes the target.
The ray temporarily reduces the sub¬
ject’s Intelligence with an enhancement
penalty of -id4, with an additional -1
per two caster levels, to a maximum
additional penalty of -5. The spell can¬
not reduce Intelligence below t. If the
target Is a wizard, she might Temporar¬
ily lose the ability to cast some or all of
her spelts if her Intelligence score
drops too low. The ability to cast those
(prepared) spells returns at the expira¬
tion of the spell.
Material Component: a miniature
cone-shaped hat.
3RD-LEVEL SPELLS
Minor Reflection
Abjuration
Level: Brd 3, Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, F
Casting Time: One action
Range: Personal
Duration: 1 minute/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
As the spell is cast, a brief shimmering
appears around the caster. For the
duration of the spell, the caster is pro¬
tected against ranged touch attacks,
including ray spells and creature ray
attacks. Any ranged touch attack
directed at the caster is automatically
reflected back at the original caster.
Focus: a glass prism.
Rust Ray
Transmutation
Level: Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: One action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft/2 levels)
Effect: Ray
Target: One non-magical ferrous
object or one ferrous creature
Duration: Insranraneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
this russet ray corrodes metal that it
touches. It can effectively destroy any
nonmagical iron or iron alloy object.
Such objects struck by the rust ray take
ad6 points of damage +1 per two caster
levels (maximum +10), ignoring hardness.
The caster can also target a weapon
being wielded or metal armor being
worn. Metal armor affected by this ray
takes normal damage from the spell and
loses id4 points of Armor Class through
corrosion. If a weapon is reduced to o
hit points, it is destroyed. Ferrous crea¬
tures struck by the ray take the same |
damage as objects.
Magic items can negate the effect
with a successful Fortitude saving throw.
(See page 136 in the PHfor details.)
Material Component: rust dust or a
piece of a rust monster.
Sting Ray
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-
Affecting]
Level: Brd 3, Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, M
 for Servant of the
and hobby stores

Alt; trademarks., including-a H character names and their distinctive.liken esses, are property of Wizards of the Coastline. ©20CIG Wizards.
 Casting Time: One action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 f\Jz levels)
Effect: Ray
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
When this ray successfully strikes, it
creates a sensation of many tiny
insects biting and crawling on the vic¬
tim's body. The target can attempt a
Will save each round to shake off the
effects. Until the spell is shrugged off,
the victim is hampered by the unsettling
feeling of all the stinging and biting and
is staggered, able only to perform a
partial action each round. The victim
also suffers a -2 penalty to AC, If the
victim attempts to cast a spell, she must
succeed at a Concentration check with
a DC equal to the sting ray's DC + the
level of the spell the target is attempt¬
ing to cast So, if a 6th-level sorcerer
with a 16 Charisma casts sting ray on a
wizard casting a fireball, the
Concentration check DC is tg (16 [sting
ray DC] + 3 [fireball spell level])*
Material component; four dried sting¬
ing insects (bees, spiders, and so on).
Greater Disrupt Undead_
Necromancy
Level: Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S
Casting Time: One action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./z levels)
Effect: Ray
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes
This spell works as the cantrip disrupt
undead, except that this ray causes td6
points of damage per caster level to
any undead, to a maximum of iod6. If
part of the damage is sufficient to
destroy the first undead, then the ray
continues through that target to strike
at any undead behind. This process
continues until all damage is dealt. The
caster must succeed at a separate
ranged touch attack for each target.
For example, a 5th-levef wizard casting
greater disrupt undead at a group of
zombies succeeds at his ranged touch
attack and deals 18 points of damage.
The first zombie has only 16 hit points,
so the zombie behind it takes the last 2
points of damage if the caster succeeds
at another ranged touch attack.
26
Ray of Weakness
Necromancy
Level: Sor/Wiz 4
Components: V, S
Casting Time: One action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 Ft,/2 levels)
Effect: Ray
Duration: See text
Saving Throw: Fortitude half
Spell Resistance: Yes
A dark ray drains the strength of its
target, if a successful ranged touch
attack is made. The target suffers 2d6
points of Strength damage +\ per two
caster levels, to a maximum of 2d6 +
10 at 20th level If the larget succeeds
at a Fortitude saving throw, she takes
only half damage.
Ray of Deanirciafion_
Abjuration
Level: Sor/Wiz 4
Components: V, S
Casting Time: One action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect: Ray
Target: One construct
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will half
Spell Resistance: Yes
This ray interferes with magical anima¬
tion, degenerating the magic bound
within constructs and effectively caus¬
ing damage. With a successful ranged
fouch attack, the ray causes id6 points
of damage per caster level lo con¬
structs, to a maximum of iod6.
5TH-LEVEL SPELLS
Ray of Entropy __
Necromancy
Level: Sor/Wiz 5
Components: V, S
Casting Time: One action
Range: Ciose (25 ft. + 5 ft/2 levels)
Effect: Ray
Duration: 1 minute/level
Saving Throw: Fortitude half (see
text)
Spell Resistance: Yes
With a successful ranged fouch attack,
a ray of negative energy consumes the
life energy of the target, making the
target weaker, slower, and less healthy.
The target must make a Fortitude sav¬
ing throw if the caster succeeds at a
ranged touch attack. If the saving throw
fails, the target suffers a -4 effective
decrease to Strength, Constitution, and
Dexterity for the duration of the spell.
KEW FEATS
Feat Type Prerequisite
Ray Burst Metamagic
Ray Coning Metamagic -
Ray Extension Metamagic ~
Ray Focus General ~
Ray Splitting Metamagic
Ray Burst [Metamagic]
You change the effect 0? a ray spell to
a 30-foot radius burst centered on
yourself.
Benefit; A ray burst hits aft targets {friend or foe)
within 10 feet. Targets within 30 feel are allowed a
Reflex save 10 avoid the bursi. Any targets, that do
not avoid the effect are treated as if they were hit
by the ray spell. Any target with 100% cover with
respect to the caster is nol affected. A ray burst
spell uses up a spell slot three levels higher than
the spell's actual level.
Ray Coning [Metamagic]
You expand a ray spell to a 30-foor
cone.
Benefit: All targets in the area of effect receive
Reflex saves to avoid the effect, but are otherwise
affected as if they were bit by the ray spell. A
coned ray uses up a spell slot two levels higher
than the spell's actual level.
Ray Extension [Metamagic]_
You maintain a ray spell for an addi¬
tional round.
Benefit: When the extended ray spell is cast, you
can use your next action lo attack with the same
ray. You can designate either a different targei or
the same target. A successful ranged touch attack
is required for the second target. If any other
actions are taken, or the spell is disrupted before
your next action, then you lose The extended spell
(though any previous effects remain). An extended
ray uses up a spell slot one level higher than the
spell's aciual level
Ray Focus [General]
Your ray spells are more effective than
normal.
Benefit: Add +2 to the DC for all saving throws
against all ray spells that you cast.
Special: The effects of this Feat stack with the
effects of the Spell Focus feat.
Ray Spotting [Metamagic]
You can attack three adjacent targets
with a ray speli.
Benefit: A split ray can hit three largets. A success’
ful ranged touch attack is needed for each target,
and each roll incurs a -4 penalty to Hit, A target
cannot be at lacked more than once with a given
spell. A split ray uses up a spell slot Iwo levels
higher than the spelts actual level.
• Every piece comes fully hand-painted!
• Amazingly detailed and cast in durable resin!

• Huge variety of sets and accessories to choose from!

MasterMaze" is an interlocking, interchangeable dungeon system meticulously

sculpted, cast in durable resin, and then painted by skilled artisans. No other
company offers such magnificent accessories for 25-28mm miniature gaming
ready to use right out of the box. Dwarven Forge has expanded its extensive
product line again to bring you the cavern set, dungeon accessories, medieval
furniture, narrow passages and, the first of its miniatures series, lizardmen!
Everything comes fully hand-painted so you can spend more time gaming.

For a FREE color catalog write: Dwarven Forge, 306 E 51 St. f NYf NY 10022
Or visit us on the web at: www.dwarvenforge.com
The amazingly detailed new Cavern Set E-Mait: dwarvenforge @cs, com Fax: (212) 759-6540

What's a dungeon without accessories? Savage lizardmen launch the miniature line The 37-piece Room and Passage Set
 MASTER SMITHS
by Christian Paul McLeod • illustrated by Amie Swekel
I f magic remains a mysterious and rarely-mastered force,
then enchanted weapons are undoubtedly few and far-
meteoric iron are welt known for their use in weapons and
armor, and other materials such as silver are known to be
between. A 11 fongswordbecomes a major find, and special particularly effective against certain creatures.
weapons like keen or flaming short swords or a +2 fongsword
bane vs. giants become once-m-a-lifetime acquisitions—The
DfrtD campaign equivalent of Excalibur. NEW METALS AND MATERIALS
Of course, player characters always search for any advan¬ Campaign worlds'are vast, and the secrets of new metals
tage in combat. The scarcity of magic weapons inspires that can be used to forge unique weapons are just waiting to
weaponsmiths to hone their skills in creating weapons of be found. These secrets mighl be held closely by dwarven
exceptional quality, or to experiment with alloys or technolo¬ forgers deep underground, or they might be discovered by
gies to create more powerful weapons. Adamantine and an alchemist on accident.
Other characters might call upon their nonhuman allies to
1ABLE I: WEAPON MODIFICATION COSTS share the secrets of eiven steel or the dwarven "oreslayer”
Modification Bonus; notes Market Frice metal suggested in the City of Ravens Bluff accessory.
Lenaer wood -25% weight, +10 gp per Conversely, they mighl lake on the research for new "super-
■ho ft, to range incre¬ pound of items metals" themselves,
ment for ranged weapons normal weigh I’
Mindsteel +4 to Will saving throws +9000 gp LENAER WOOD
vs, mind-influencing Eiven smiths turn to their forest homes to make use of unique
effects; weight increased woods in their weapons. Lenaer trees (easily identified by their
by 55%; less-effective swirling gray bark, sweet sap, and thick veined leaves shaped
AC bonus (normal bonus
iike seven-pointed stars) are the only source of this special
^e), armor check penalty
wood. Lenaer wood is pale and extremely light (akin to balsa
increased by one
wood), and it is often used by elves for simple artistic carving.
Vakar +266 damage to elves +8,000 gp When properly cured, however, lenaer wood is extremely
"Breakaway" reduced carrying size; +1,000 gp durable while remaining lightweight. Weapons of lenaer wood-
weapons threat on natural typically staves and bows—weigh 25% less than ordinary
20 only weapons. Ranged weapons such as spears and arrows con¬
Copper- weapon damage idS, +4,500 gp structed of lenaer enjoy a 10-foot bonus To their range incre¬
a dam an tile alloy idio, or idi2: +1 damage ment. For example, the range increment of a shortbow
Slug crystal* -25% weight +50Q gp shooting linear arrows would be 70 feet instead of 60 feet.
Lenaer wood adds 10 gp per pound to the cost of items
Quicksilver/
1 iron-filled 2 +2 to damage +5,000 gp made with it, using the item's normal (non-lenaer) weight as a
guide, A quiver of lenaer arrows costs 31 gp, for example.
1 Ranged weapons crafted of Shis material are ruined after one use. Melee weapons are
somewhat more durable, but each successful hit in irieJee r.nmbur leaves a significant
notch, dent, or similar imperfection and reduces the damage modifier by 1 {to +1, u, -1,
MINDSTEEL
arid 30 01a}. Any bit that inflicts no damage as a result of these modifiers indicates that Miners might run across the extremely rare mokklor or
the weapon has shattered and is beyond repair. “mindsteef" metal. !l is a soft, dull-gray metal sometimes used
p Maces, morningstars, hammers, and other items with larger striking areas remain the in the construe lion of armor. Mokklor resembles lead and
easiest to construct, and receive the full +2 damage bonus. Items such as swords or
shares many of that metal’s physical properties (including a
bailleaxes require much greater skill Imposing a -10 penalty lo a weaponsmiths roll to
create such an item. Furthermore, I he limited volume of material that can be used to fill low melting point and extreme malleability). Armor formed of
such a weapon limits the damage bonus to n. Small items like daggers and arrowheads mindsteef weighs 25% more than normal (Increase the armor
cannot bo created using l his process.
check penalty by one,) It offers less of an AC bonus (by two)

28 annual 2ooo

compared to steel armors of the same
type. For example, mokklor full plate
offers a +6 armor bonus instead of the
normal +8, weighs 62 pounds instead of
50 pounds, and has an armor check
penalty of -7 instead of -6. The benefit
of mindsteel armor is that it naturally
dampens mind-influencing effects tar¬
geting the wearer. Mindsteel provides
the wearer with a +4 circumstance
bonus to Will saving throws vs. such
effects.
VAKAR
Enterprising adventurers who probe
the depths of the dwarves' mountain
homes might come across a vein of
vakar. This durable bluish-black metal
can withstand extreme heat during the
tempering process and exudes a
strange oil. Weapons made with vakar
metal receive a +1 bonus to damage.
Furthermore, The oil exuded by vakar is
causTic to those of pure elven blood,
raising painful welts and dealing +2d6
points of damage to elves.
The following items have been created
using materials like these, combined
with advanced techniques in weapon
construction. Although each provides
bonuses in combat, these bonuses are
due solely to exceptional material or
workmanship rather than enchantment.
DURAND’S ARMOR
Roman Durand was a human armor-
smith of unsurpassed skill; the dwarves
of the nearby mountains considered
him an honorary dwarf in appreciation
of his talents. When Roman's daughter
Isabel expressed a desire to seek
adventure, Roman resolved to create a
suit of armor that would protect her
even away from home. He persuaded
Isabel to postpone her departure for a
year, asking the dwarves to train her
with the battleaxe and crossbow while
he worked on a masterpiece.
Roman’s dwarven friends provided
the smith with several bars of dull gray
metat that they had unearthed in an
ancient dwarven temple. They sus¬
pected the metal had special properties
and invited Roman to use it when con¬
structing his daughter's armor. He
alloyed the dwarven metal with steel
and a small amount of gold (for color),
and lovingly crafted a suit of intricate
full plate.
Durand’s Armor is sized for a human
female and is engraved with intertwin¬
ing vines laden with lilies. When Isabel
returned from her exploits years later,
she was the sole survivor of an attack
by mind flayers and credited her "lucky
armor" for her safe return.
The gray metal the dwarves provided
was actually mindsteel, and that metal's
properties enabled Isabel lo survive the
illithid attack that claimed her compan¬
ions, The alloy developed by Roman was
unique and as durable as regular steel-
eliminating the penalty to Armor Class
normally associated with mindsteel
armor-but the impurity of the mindsteel
affected the psionic properties of the
metal. Thus, Durand's Armor has an
armor bonus of +8 but provides only a
+2 circumstance bonus to Will saving
throws vs. mind-influencing effects.
Market price: 11,800 gp
LEAFCUTTER
Leafcutter is a battleaxe forged of an
unusual bluish-silver metal with a per¬
petually oily sheen. The haft is carved
from the ihighbone of a fire giant, and
the grip has been wrapped with a fine
steel chain. Minute etchings along one
of the axe's double edges appear lo be
runes, though closer inspection reveals
that they are merely a series of hash
marks: There are forty-seven in all.
The weapon was forged centuries ago
during a heated war between the elves
and the dwarves. H was presented as a
gift to the human general Xenos, who
led his mercenary army against the
Duriand’s Armor
elven forces and single-handedly
defeated dozens of the finest elven
warlords (one for each hash mark on
the blade). When the elves and the
dwarves finally united against the com¬
mon threat of a goblinoid invasion,
Xenos’ army turned on both races to
side with the goblins. The forces of evil
were ultimately turned back, and the
traitorous general was killed and his
weapon lost during the pitched battle.
The metallic part of the axe con¬
stantly seeps a clear, odorless oil that is
corrosive to elven skin. Merely touch¬
ing the oil causes painful burns and
blisters, while wounds inflicted with the
weapon burn fiercely.
Leafcutter provides a +1 bonus to hit
as a result of its exceptional balance
and edge, it is forged of vakar alloyed
with silver, and retains the effectiveness
of both metals. Because of the vakar
metal, Leafcutter also receives a
bonus to damage. When attacking elves
(not half-elves), Leafcutter inflicts an
additional 2d6 points of damage. The
vakar-salver alloy is called "vereef by
the dwarves, and it is as effective as
pure silver against creatures wilh an
intolerance For that metal.
Market price: 11,315 gp.
EWARD’S SWORD
The warrior Eward (a 7-foot beast of a
man from the wicked berserker tribes
of distant badlands) was the failed proj¬
ect of several ambitious priests of the
god of justice. The priests lured Eward
to their city with promises of rigorous
warrior training and glorious battles to
come. They had intended to educate
29

Eward, augment his considerable
combat skills with the finest fencing
instructors available, and present their
"converted” paladin to their superiors.
Ultimately, their project failed. Eward
learned as much as he could from the
priests and the half-dozen swordsmen
hired to train him. When he felt they had
nothing more to offer, Eward fumed on
the priests, sacking their temple and
leaving the city to become one of the
most feared mercenaries in the land.
Like his clansmen, Eward was highly
suspicious of magic, but he wanted a
superior, even unique, weapon. When
he had amassed a small fortune as a
hired sword, he commissioned a special
non-magic weapon from an aging dark
elf who lived as a hermit in the moun¬
tains of the north. The drew weapon-
smith created an immense greafsword
for Eward, a blade of sickly green metal
with a hilt of blackened steel The pom¬
mel consisted of a large bloodstone, and
the crossguards resembled muscular
arms culminating in grasping claws. The
weapon could be disassembled and car¬
ried in a special case that appeared to
house a simple lute. The sword is
designed to broken down into four
pieces: The blade separates halfway
along its length into two interlocking
sections, and the bloodstone pommel
unscrews to permit the grip and cross-
guards to detach and slide away from
the fang of the blade. The sword is
expertly designed and precisely
counter-balanced to protect the delicate
mechanisms that hold it together-but
the sword still suffers in combat.
Eward’s sword only threatens a critical
3o annual 2ooo
hit on a natural so, though if is still sub¬
ject to a feat (such as Improved Critical)
and spells (such as keen edge) that
affect critical ranges.
The exceptional quality of Eward's
Sword provides a +1 bonus to attack
rolls. The green metal used to create
the blade is an alloy of adamantine and
copper its exceptional temper provides
a +1 bonus to damage. It rakes a full-
round action to assemble or disassem¬
ble the sword.
Marker price: 4,850 gp.
LOWRrS ARROWS
In the annals of elven history, there
might be no greater archer than the
warrior-maiden Lowri. Though she is
remembered for her considerable skill,
she is also known for the unique
arrows she created.
Lowri’s arrow shafts are crafted
from pale wood that is lightweight and
sturdy, while the arrowheads appear to
be crafted from honey-colored amber.
The arrowheads are thicker at the base
than most but taper to razor-sharp ser¬
rated edges and a lethal point. The
fletching of the arrows is nearly twice
as long as one would expect and
crafted from thin, nearly transparent
segments of the same material used in
the arrowheads.
The materia! lowri used to create the
fletching and arrowheads was harvested
from a nest of blind cave slugs. These
creatures are 6 inches long and unintel¬
ligent, but reasonably friendly (as slugs
go). Thick trails of crystallized golden
slime coat the floor, walls, and ceilings
of the slugs' nest, and this material can
be scraped away, heated to a low melt¬
ing point, and used as a lightweight sub¬
stitute for some metals. The items
produced are a rich golden color and
capable of holding an edge, lhough they
are somewhat brittle.
Lowri used lenaer wood to craft the
shafts of the arrows, so these missiles
increase the ranges at which they can be
accurately fired as described above.
Such arrows also receive a +1 bonus to
attack rolls, as the length and aerody¬
namic nature of the fletching and arrow¬
heads increases the arrows’ accuracy.
Marker price: 63 gp per 20 arrows
REJAVIK
Created by the legendary dwarven
smith Athdar Steelbreaker, Rejavik is a
warhammer, surprisingly light for Its
larger-than-normal size. The haft is
carved of black wood, half again as long
and thick as a standard warhammer. The
head itself is twice normal size and con¬
structed of iron. Thick leather wraps the
lower half of the haft, and beneath
these wrappings runic carvings identify
the weapon s name and creator, it
weighs no more than an ordinary
warhammer (8 pounds).
The head of the hammer is actually
crafted of two separate pieces, expertly
joined so that the seam can only be
detected with a successful Search skill
check (DC 25). The head is hollow and
the cavity is half-filled with a mixture of
iron filings and quicksilver. The ham-
mer’s unique design enables the wielder
to deliver blows of incredible might.
When Rejavik is swung, the quicksil¬
ver and iron filings fill the upper por¬
tion of the hammerhead, increasing the
speed at which the hammer is swung
through the air. When the hammer
strikes, this mixture is flung forward,
filling the front half of the head and
increasing the impact of the blow,
granting a +2 bonus to damage.
Market price: it6oo gp.
NEW CREATIONS
Many of the modifications described
above can be incorporated into other
weapons. The costs appear on Table 1:
Weapon Modification Costs. All cost
modifiers are cumulative, so a master-
work longsword created from slug
crystal and filled with quicksilver and
iron filings has a total cost modifier
of +5,800. ^
^active, Devetoffed by Cryo Interactive. The
and
*t> Interactive Software the Take Two fo-ac
are properties of their respective owners. Wi

U ntold centuries ago, there
existed a terrible cult of
depravity whose only goals
were to spread feart despair, and
insanity to the rest of the world. This
cult comprised hundreds of chapters
scattered across the Flanaess, yet they
were unified in their devotion to their
Dark God: Tharizdun, Eventually the
evils of the Cult of Tharizdun grew too
much for its enemies to bear, and the
Dark God was imprisoned in a different
dimension. Yet the Dark God s legacy
remains. Mere mention of his name can
send chills down the spine of even the
bravest adventurer.
Today, the Cult of Tharizdun is all but
extinct. After their god's imprisonment,
the various cuits rapidly succumbed to
internal strife. The Scarlet Brotherhood
has been known to use the Dark Gods
name as a threat, but how much they
truly know about him is anyone’s guess.
At its height, the Cult maintained dozens
of huge, gothic temples throughout the
32 annual 2ooo
by James Jacobs
world. Most of these temples were con¬
centrated in the Yati! Mountains, but in
the months after the Dark Gods' banish¬
ment many of them were destroyed.
They exist now only as ruins, often
serving as lairs for creatures unsus¬
pecting of The history of their homes,
A more concrete and menacing
legacy of the time of Tharizdun are the
various creatures the cult used as
guardians and minions. At Its height, the
cult was notorious for the use of these
terrible and unique monsters. Since the
cult's demise, most of these monsters
have died off.
The least of these creatures is the
kurge, a vile undead being originally
created to serve as a temple guardian.
The captured bodies of powerful ene¬
mies who opposed the cult were often
transformed into kurge and returned to
their homelands to spread fear and
disease. Another undead creation of Ihe
cult was the destructive rotripper. An
animated ogre corpse, this creature
illustrated by Paolo Parente
could actually absorb and utilize the
arms of its victims as its own.
Perhaps the most infamous of the
beasts is the julajimus. These monsters
were too dangerous for the cult 1o keep
nearby, so they were often magically
transported into the wilderness near
small villages or towns where they
could wreak incredible devastation
in a short period of time.
Finally, there are the rogue eidolons.
These constructs were the pride and
joy of the cult. When a chapter had
especially pleased Tharizdun, the Dark
God would invest one of the temple
statues with a portion of divine power,
causing the thing to transform into a
potent guardian and advisor. 1 hese
eidolons possessed incredible intelli¬
gence and wisdom, but the imprison¬
ment of their god drove them insane
with rage and hatred. Many of these
rogue eidolons destroyed their cult
cells before wandering off into the
surrounding wilderness.
This is but a sample of the various
beasts associated with Tharizdun. Who
knows what terrible fiends still lurk in
undiscovered cult temples from the
time of the Dark God?
I

A julajimus stands a bir more than

18 feet ta]l and looks vaguely
like a massive baboon, its arms
are long and muscular, with four fully
articulated joints each. The body is cov¬
ered with dark blue or black fur, and it
has a large blue reptilian tall. The mouth
of a julajimus is drsproportaonally large
for the head and is filled with razor-
sharp teeth the size of scimitar blades.
Villagers often tell stories of the jula¬
jimus to their children. At some point
in the story, the main character, a child,
takes in a cute animal as a pet despite
repeated warnings from their parents
that there isn't enough food or room
to house Ihe creature. The story ends
with the rebellious child hiding the crit¬
ter In his room, only to have It turn
Into a julajimus one night and eat him
alive. In fact, the name “julajimus” is
derived from an ancient phrase "jul
ajimolusJ” or “eater of children/'
The julajimus is territorial, gathering
In pairs only once a decade to mate.
The presence of a julajimus has a
strange effect on nearby wildlife, caus¬
ing animals to become more aggressive
than normal. Increased attacks on
domestic animals by wildlife can indicate
the arrival of a julajimus. The monster is
not afraid of civilization, and the lights of
a village at night can attract a curious
julajimus to investigate.
Ancient texts hint that, in rimes long
past, the cult of Tharizdun created the
first julajimus from human prisoners.
While these text don't indicate what the must make a Will save (DC so) or Roar (Su): Three times a day, a
purpose of the julajimus is, it seems succumb to panic. Those who save suc¬ julajimus can roar out Tharizdun's
clear that they were created for one cessfully are immune to this ability for name; this roar can be heard for
purpose; to spread fear in the hearts 24 hours. Panicked victims are frozen All creatures within 60 feet must
of the non-believers. motionless in fear; each round a new a Fortitude save (DC 19) or become
saving throw can be attempted to deafened for 3d 6 hours. Those who
Combat throw off this effect. This saving throw also suffer 6d6
The julajimus enjoys the sensation of Stunning Attack (Su): If a julajimus points of subdual damage.
gnawing living creatures and always successfully scores a critical hit with its Immunities (Ex): A julajimus is
attacks with its bite first It follows with claws, the victim must make a Fortitude immune to all spells of the
slashes from its two claws. Despite its save (DC 19) or be stunned by the Enchantment school.
size, the julajimus is terrifyingly fast force of the blow. Stunned victims can¬ Resistance (Ex): A julajimus has
and can easily outrun most prey. not act and lose any positive Dexterity resistance 20.
Cause Panic (Su): A julajimus radiates bonus to AC, while attackers get a +2 Polymorph Self (Su): The most
a supernatural aura that can chill the bonus on attack rolls against a stunned notorious ability of the julajimus is its
blood of the bravest warrior. Any living opponent. The victim of a stunning power to polymorph itself at will
creature within 20 feet of a julajimus attack remains stunned for id4 rounds. small, cuddly creature (such as a
 ®pmunk, or kitten). This allows the
|Ulajimus to lull its prey into a false
|ense of security before it shifts into its
latural form So attack. Reverting to its
‘true form is a free action.
Vulnerable to Sunlight (Su): A jula-
;jimus becomes paralyzed when exposed
■to sunlight. Each round, it can make a
fortitude save (DC 20) to resist paraly-
jsi. Once it is paralyzed, the creature is
completely helpless (although its damage
reduction and fire resistance still make
it difficult to kill) and can be attacked in
relative safety. The monster is com¬
pletely aware of its surroundings during
its time; it is simply powerless to act.
The paralysis lasts for 1CI4 rounds after
The exposure to sunlight ends.
JULAJIMUS
Huge Aberration
Hit Dice i6d8+8o (152 hp)
initiative +2 (Dex)_
Speed 50 ft._
AC AC: 22 (“2 size,
_+2 Dex, +12 natural)
Attacks I Bite +tg melee,
£ claws +14 melee
Damage Bite 3810+4,
_claws 388+4_
Face/Reach 10 ft. by 20 ft./io ft
Special Cause panic, stunning
Attacks attack, roar
Special Damage reduction
Qualities 20/+2, resist fire 20,
immune to enchant
ments, polymorph self,
_vulnerable to sunlight
Saves j Fort -ho, Ref +7, Will no
Abilities Sir 28, Dex 14, Con 20,
Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 14
Skills Climb +22, Disguise
+io*f Intimidate +10,
Jump +22, Listen +to,
_ Spot +1o_
Feats | Power Attack, Cleave
* when using polymorph ability
Climate/Terram Temperate forests
Organization Solitary
Challenge Rating 12
Treasure Double standard
Alignment Always neutral evil
Advancement Range 17-32 HD
(Gargantuan); 32+ HD (Colossal)
34 annual 2ooo
A kurge is a disgusting undead
creature that appears as an
animated humanoid in an
advanced state of decay. Various body
parts and limbs are often hanging
together only by a few rancid strips of
flesh. The unholy symbol of Tharizdun
is burned into its forehead, torso, and
both arms and legs. Faint white flame
that radiates intense cold washes over
the thing's body, but perhaps the
strangest aspect of a kurge is the fact
that it floats about a foot off the ground
when moving.
Kurge were created by the Cult of
Tharizdun as temple guardians. While
their creator lives (either alive or
undead) the kurge are bound to strictly
and literally follow orders. Once their
creator dies, however, the kurge
become uncontrolled. Such kurge
actively search for living mortals to
destroy out of hatred for life.
Although all but forgotten, the
process by which a kurge is created is
relatively simple and can be undertaken
by any wizard with access to the school
of Necromancy-once the appropriate
spells are known and available to be
cast. The wizard must first slay a living
person (human or nonhuman) by inject¬
ing the victim with a rare and lethal
poison known as haramere. Haramere
ts difficult to find and brew, and often
costs in excess of 1,500 gp per dose. It
is an injected DC 18 poison that does
2d6 initial Constitution damage and sd6
secondary Constitution damage. Those
slain by haramere begin to putrefy
very rapidly, and within 6 hours are
nothing but a skeleton in a pool of
liquefied filth. This decay can be stalled
by soaking the body in brine; this must
be done for an entire night if a wizard
wishes to create a kurge from the
remains. Once these requirements are
met, the wizard must cast the following
spells on the body while it is stilt sub¬
merged in brine: animate dead, levitate,
geas, telekinesis, vampihc toucht and
gentle repose. With the last spell, the
body rises from the brine as a kurge,
ready to obey its creator’s every whim.
Combat
Kurge generally lie motionless on the
ground, waiting for victims to come
near. When someone does, they spring
up and attack, surprising the victim. A
successful Spot check versus a kurge’s
Hide check defeats such an ambush.
Kurge attack with two claws until they
are struck for damage. (See below.)
Constitution Damage (Su): Kurge
seethe with an unholy cold fire that dam¬
ages the lifeforce of those they touch.
Anyone struck by a kurge must make a
Fortitude save (DC 15) or take id4 points
of temporary Constitution damage.
Disease (Ex): Kurge are filthy crea¬
tures that swarm with parasites and filth.
Anyone who is damaged by a kurge in
melee combat must make a Fortitude
save (DC 15) or catch a particularly vir¬
ulent disease known as skinripple from
the creature. If the Fortitude save is not
successful, the damaged character rakes
id4 points of permanent Constitution
damage after an incubation time of is
id4 days. Once per day afterward, the
infected character must make a success¬
ful Fortitude saving throw to avoid
repeated damage. Two successful saves
in a row indicate that the character has
fought off the infection.
Initial symptoms include numbness,
chills, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
As the disease progresses, large watery
blisters form on the victims body and
the skin becomes loose and baggy.
Anatomic Separation (Su): Whenever
a kurge is struck for damage, the mon¬
ster’s body splits apart into six compo¬
nents: a head, two arms, two legs, and
the torso. Each body part remains ani¬
mated and can continue to attack by
slamming into targets with great force.
These arracks cause temporary
Constitution damage as detailed in the
kurge sidebar. A kurge s face and reach
remain the same once it anatomically
separates; the body parts must remain
fairly close together. Each body part
can attack different targets in melee
range, or They can all concentrate on a
single target. The body parts continue
to fight until the k urge's hit points are
 KURGE
Medium Undead
Hit Dice 6di2 (39 hp)
1
Initiative +4 (Dex)
: TtSpeed 30 ft.
AC 17 (+4 Dex, +3
natural)
Attacks 2 claws +7 melee or 6
slams +5 melee
Damage Claw id6+3; slam id4
Face/Reach 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Constitution damage,
Atficks disease, anatomic
separation
Special Particle cloud, feather
Qualities fattf fast healing 1,
undead immunities
Saves Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +6
Abilities Str 16, Dex t8, Con
Int to, Wis t2, Cha 14
Skills Climb +9, Escape
Artist +4*, Hide +to,
Move Silently +io,
l
Search +6
J Feats Multiattack, Combat
Reflexes
* When anatomically separated the
kurge receives a +iq bonus to
Escape Artist checks.

Climate/Terrain Any
Organization Solitary or gang (2-5)
Challenge Rating 6
Treasure Half standard goods or
items
Alignment Always chaotic evil
Advancement Range 7-12 HD
(Medium-size)

reduced to o, at which time the body
parts drop To the ground and rapidly
rot away. Magical forces prevent the
body parts from being disassociated
and taken from the square the kurge
occupies. Grapple attempts against
separated kurge parts are treated as
though made against a huge creature.
Particle Cloud (Su): When a kurge’s
anatomic separation power activates,
hundreds of tiny bits of bone and
leathery Flesh explode off of the
kurge’s body, surrounding each body
part with a stinging swarm of whirling
decay. Anyone in melee combat with
a separated kurge automatically takes
id3 points of damage per round from
this cbud. mind-influencing effects, poison, sleep
Feather Fall (Sp): Although their paralysis, stunning,
means of locomotion might resemble subject to critical hits, subdual
flight, it is actually a form of levitation ability damage, energy dram, or
that allows horizontal motion. A kurge from massive damage.
always remains no more than a foot off Skills: A kurge gains a 4-10
the ground. A falling kurge is protected Escape Artist checks when its
by a continual feather fall effect. separation power is active.
Fast Healing (Ex): A kurge heals dam¬
age very quickly at the rate of 1 hit point
per round. If this returns the kurge to
full hit points, its body parts instantly re¬
attach. This healing ceases once the
kurge is brought to o hit points.

35

ROGUE EIDOLON
large Construct
Hit Dice | gdio (49 hp)
Initiative +0
Speed 30 ft. (can’t run)
AC 21 (-1 size, 4*12 natural)
Attacks 2 slams +10 melee
Damage Slam 286+7
Face/Reach 5 ft by 5 ft/10 ft
Special Confusion, blood
| Attacks spray
Special Damage reduction
Qualities so/+2t SR tg.
! construct
Saves ; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +1
Abilities 1 Str zo,.Dex 10. Con —,
Int 4, Wis 6, Cha iz
Cinnate/Terrain Any
Organization Solitary
Challenge Rating 9
Treasure None
Alignment Always chaotic neutral
Advancement Range 11-18 HD
(Large), 19-27 HD (Huge)
annual 2ooo
T ypically 12 to 14 feet tall.
The exact appearance of one
rogue eidolon differs wildly
from the next. They are always con¬
structed of purple stone (often
magically treated to achieve such
a distinct color). As a general
rule, they are humanoid in
shape, badly weathered, and
possess monstrous deformi¬
ties. The only other constants
from one rogue eidolon to
the next is the fact that Iheir
hands are always pitch black,
and their faces are com¬
pletely blank save for a
crude symbol of Tharizdun
carved violently Into the oth¬
erwise featureless visage.
This symbol leaks a thick
fluid that looks like blood and
evaporates within minutes of
dripping to the ground.
Many centuries ago, when
the Dark God was still free, the most
powerful cult cells created large statues
in the images of their leaders. The faces
of these statues were left blank save
for the symbol of Tharizdun to indicate
the Dark God's mastery over his fol¬
lowers. These statues were always
placed at honored locations in the Dark
God s temples were they stood over
countless sacrifices. Those cult cells
who particularly pleased the Dark God
were sometimes rewarded; Tharizdun
himself would send the tiniest shred of
his power across the dimensions to
infuse the cult's statue, granting it sen¬
tience and the ability to serve as a sort
of avatar for the Dark God. These
"awakened*’ eidolons were fully aware,
wielded a devastating array of divine
spells, and usually took the roles of
advisors to the cell. In certain cases
where the members of a cult displeased
Tharizdun, the eidolon would eradicate
the cult cell before deactivating itself.
With the Dark God’s imprisonment,
the many eidolons operating throughout
the world were instantly cut off from
the source of their power. While they
retained their intelligence and mobility,
this sudden loss of divine power drove
them completely insane. Most of these
eidolons slew their cults before
destroying themselves in a fit of
suicidal rage, but a few wandered off
into the wilderness. Since Tharizdun's
imprisonment, no new constructs of
this type have been created, and the
rogue eidolons that still function have
degenerated into complete psychosis
and are little more than destructive
forces of evil
Combat
A rogue eidolon almost always attacks
any living creature it encounters due to
a burning need for revenge for the loss
of its god. The nature of the insanity
that afflicts a rogue eidolon is com¬
pletely unpredictable, though, and it's
possible that it simply ignores intruders.
When a rogue eidolon attacks, it does
so by smashing victims with its stony
fists. Tactics mean little to a rogue
eidolon. Its attacks are so single-minded
that it often ignore easier targets once
it has selected a victim.
Confusion (Sp): A being struck by a
rogue eidolon must make a Will save
(DC 15) or be confused Insane charac-
ters suffer from a continuous confu¬
sion effect; this effect can be removed
only by greater restoration, limited
wish, miracle, and wish.
Blood Spray (Su): On the First round
of combat and every fourth round
thereafter, the rogue eidolon can spew
a gout of thick blood from the seeping
symbol carved into its face at a target
within 30 feet. This is a free action, A
creature struck by the blood spray
must make a Will save (DC 15) or be
afflicted with a terrible madness that
forces the victim to see all friends as
hated enemies. A creature that suc¬
cumbs to this rage will attack its closest
ally immediately; this rage prevents
spell casting but not the activation of
magic Items that require spell comple¬
tion. This murderous frenzy lasts for
3d6 rounds.
Construct: Rogue eidolon are
immune to mind-influencing effects,
poison, disease, and similar effects.
They are not subject to critical hits,
subdual damage, ability damage, energy
drain, or death from massive damage.
Rpiiippar
A rotripper (pronounced
rot-ripper) appears as a
decaying lo-foot-tall ogre
corpse with more than two arms: some
rotrippers possess more than twelve
arms in all, each of different sizes and
shapes. A rotripper created from a
humanoid or giant other than an ogre
is exceedingly rare.
The rotripper understands that lair¬
ing in heavily populated areas is dan¬
gerous and thus prefers to lurk in
out-of-the-way locales such as moun¬
tain passes or roads through dense
forests. Every rotripper is incredibly
patient and persistent, and only death
stops it from tracking a victim once it
decides It wants the victim s arms. This
obsession with collecting arms was
likely instilled long ago when the Cult
of Tharizdun created the first rotrip¬
pers as a sort of “bloodhound” to track
ROTRIPPER
Large Undead
Hit Dice $dt2 {52 hp)
Initiative -1 (Dex)
Speed 1 30 ft.
AC 15 {-1 Dex, -1 size,
+7 natural)
Attacks 2 claws +8 melee,
additional claws +6
melee
Damage primary daws id8+5f
secondary claws *d8+a
Face/Reach 5 ft. by 5 ft,/10 ft.
Special Grab, remove limb.
Attacks rend
Special Undead, damage
Qualifies reduction 10/+1,
absorb limbs
Saves Fort +2, Ref +5, Will -ho
Abilities Str 20, Dex 8, Con
Int i2t Wis 14, Cha 13
Skills Climb +13, Hide +3,
* Intuit Direction +10,
Search +9, Wilderness
Lore +10
Feats Track, Multrattack
Climate/Terrain Any
Organization Solitary or gang (3-8)
Challenge Rating 7
Treasure Standard
Alignment Always chaotic evil
Advancement Range 9-16 HD
(Large), 17-24 HD (Huge)
down victims who had escaped the
cult's clutches.
Animals avoid rotripper lairs;
birds and insects won't even fly
over them.
A rotripper is impossible to
control without powerful magic.
The necromancers or priests who
create these undead beings gener¬
ally do not want them to serve as
guardians or servants as a result.
Generally, a rotripper is created
only to sow destruction and pain
in the world
Creating a rotripper requires
an armless ogre corpse. This
corpse must have a pair of living
ogre limbs grafted to its body by
magical means. Next, the body
must be anointed with the blood of
a vampire and the spittle of any
demon. The creator must then
animate the body by means of
either a limited wish spelt or a spe¬
cialized version of the raise dead
spell. The newly created rotripper might Rend (Ex); If a rotripper hits with
attack its creator in an attempt to steal at least two daw attacks, it latches
her arms, so a means of restraining or onto the opponent's body and tears the
controlling it is recommended. flesh. This attack automatically deals an
additional 2d8+y points of damage. A
Combat rotripper that hits a single target with
The rotripper is fairly intelligent, but its four arms can rend a victim twice.
insatiable greed for new arms often Unlike the rend attacks of other
forces it to throw tactics to the wind creatures, if a victim is slain (reduced
and simply wade into combat, arms to -10 hit points) by a rend attack, the
flailing. The two original arms grafted rotripper has ripped the victim's arms
onto its body during its creation are off. The following round, the rotripper
the rotripperis primary attack; any uses its absorb limb ability to fuse the
additional arms comprise the monster's victim's arms with its body.
secondary attacks. A Large rotripper Absorb Limb (Su): Once a rotripper
can possess up to 2d8 arms, while a removes a limb, it attaches it to its own
Huge one can possess up to 468 stolen torso. It rakes a move-equivalent action
limbs. Fortunately, a single target can to absorb one arm; it takes a full-round
be attacked by no more than four arms action for the rotripper to attach two
at once. The rotripper can split its arms. Once the arm is attached, the
attacks among any targets in melee. rotripper heals idt2 hit points and a set
Improved Grab (Ex): The rotripper is of talons rapidly grow from the arm's
supematurally strong and gains the hand. The rotripper can attack with a
appropriate bonuses to attack rolls and new arm the round after it is attached,
damage with its attacks, despite the though it can still only target a single
musculature of the arm employed. Each opponent with a maximum of four arms.
time a rotripper makes a successful Undead: Rotrippers are immune to
attack, it can make a free grapple check mind-influencing effects, poison, sleep,
without provoking an attack of oppor¬ paralysis, stunning, and disease. They
tunity. It gains a +1 bonus to this are not subject to critical hits, subdual
grappling check for each arm that is damage, ability damage, energy drain,
already grappling the victim. or death from massive damage. ^
37
 H£V /GOA YCOHf WOU/TMHr Anp TWf *0HR TWif.'J SELL
WHAT'5 OUA THeY'VE "OPEFT PART op , /7B£M TO YOU
FORTflNf! SOURC£D"PiP, TWO FORTUNE? 1 foil FjfVf TouAW,
ANY00PY M />foO Yatfl SELL
U/RlTF/A MODULE THEM HERE FOR
f Really, Fori ITT -a v TFNf J

COMPOS
Will AW

PE&SMMS

a-T.V

HALF WAKEP ELF KEY? X y/)lp YOU TGOa, IF YOU BECOME FAMOUS,
BABES /M TTfr, should sojlit Fo« IT'LL 8FCHEAP AT FIFTV BUCKS,
CITY op death! /£ THOUGHT^* .TCNPOLLflftS/ v a HANp'UjRineE) Mf)mscrnpr
CATCHY 77Tl£. (the Firstohe BUT ITS OME-OF-A MNp PRE RELEASE
SHOULD be WORTH ANP your first conMEdcmc
AloRE FIFTY. k/HY? SALE ALL /MCAJET A/vJY
INTELLECTUAL., REAL COLLECTOR, LOILL KW0O7
OKAY- J"LL tUUrtAT~ THIS /s LUORTHf
TAKE IT. Really?/ ANP IT'5 GOT
WAiF-NAKgp
etp bA0Cj/

OUST BECAUSE SO^ECME HAS

OPEC SOUFLCEP THEIR &RAINL
POESKJT MEflM YOU HAVC

M.

38 annual 2ooo
GORGOLDAND’S GAUNTLET
Gorgoldarid’s Gauntlet
Adventurers Welcome!
by Johnathan M. Richards
cover by Stephen Walsh • illustrated by Dennis Cramer • cartography by Diesel
"Gorgoldand’s Gauntlet" is a DOtD adventure suitable for four ist-level PCs. It takes
place in a cave network in the side of a cliff overlooking a lake and can easily be
inserted into any campaign. The adventure can be adapted for characters of up to
4th level, as described in the "Scaling the Adventure" sidebar.
? Monster Statistics y* Trap Statistics Iff Object Statistics
Adventure Background
A gold dragon calling himself “Gorgoldand" (an anagram of
"gold dragon") converted a cave network into a testing ground
to surreptitiously test the abilities of local adventuring bands.
He did this by posing (in human form) as a book collector and
hiring each band to unearth a small cache of important tomes
said to be stored in the deep recesses of a cave network
known as the “Gauntlet.” As the adventurers struggled Through
the various traps and obstacles Gorgoldand had put in their
way, the dragon observed their progress with the help of his
pseudodragon companion, Snooky. If the adventurers were
ultimately successful, Gorgoldand retrieved the tomes and
allowed the heroes to keep the other treasure he'd stocked in
the Gauntlet from his hoard. Always included in the treasure
was a magic sword of his own design, through which he could
keep tabs on the band. Details on this magic sword are pro¬
vided in the "Hoardmaster" sidebar. Once the adventurers
were gone, Gorgoldand would restock the treasure room in
preparation for the next adventuring band.
Recently, however, Gorgoldand vanished. Lacking further
guidance in the months since his masters disappearance,
Snooky has done his best to keep the testing facility running:
feeding the rust monsters and distributing copies of the maps
that lead adventurers to the Gauntlet. When a band of
jermlaine moved into the cave network a few months ago,
Snooky grudgingly approved of the modifications they made
to the Gauntlet, his love of practical jokes winning out over his
sense of fair play. All in all, Snooky sees the jermlaine as a self-
sustaining “upgrade" to his absent master s Gauntlet.
Adventure Synopsis
“Gorgoldand’s Gauntlet" is a site-based adventure with a pre-
dominance of puzzles and traps. The PCs discover a map lead¬
ing to the Gauntlet and explore it looking for treasure. They
test their srrength and wits against various traps and puzzles
4o annual 2ooo
f Non-player Characters (NPCs)
created by the gold dragon, as well as some slightly more devi¬
ous and dangerous ones added by the scheming jermlaine. If
they make if all the way to the end of the Gauntlet, they’ll have
gained access to a magic item that can have a significant
impact on their adventuring careers.
For the Players
The PCs are brought into the adventure by following a map
that leads to the Gauntlet They could have found the map in a
treasure hoard during a previous adventure, or Snooky might
have simply left a copy at the PCs’ campsite as they slept. In
either case, the map directs the PCs to the entrance of the
Gauntlet but provides no information on the interior of the
cave network (and thus it is not provided as a player handout).
The map specifically mentions hidden treasure at the end of
the Gauntlet but does not indicate what that treasure is.
The Gauntlet
Unless otherwise mentioned, the interior of the Gauntlet is
dominated by rough floors and is unlit, PCs without darkvision
need to provide their own light sources.
1* Cliff Ledge,
The PCs map leads them to the top of a cliff overlooking a
large lake.
A metal piton hammered into the stone near the edge of the
cliff gives silent testimony that others have been this way
before, although the rope that would normally be attached to
The piton is missing. The narrow cave entrance to the Gauntlet
is some 60 feet below the top of the cliff.
The jermlaine band removed the rope that the last adven¬
turing band used to climb down to the cave entrance. The PCs
can attach their own rope to climb down or do so without
rope. Climb checks (DC 20 without rope or DC 10 with rope)

are required from each character. Anyone falling from the
cliff face plummets to the lake surface below. The cave
entrance is 20 feet above the surface of the water. (The lake
is 40 feet deep in that area.) PCs plunging from the top of the
cliff fall a lotal of 80 feet before hitting water Use the Tailing
into Water5' rules on page 02-113 °F Dungeon Masters
Guide to calculate falling damage, as appropriate.
2, Cave Opening,
The cave opening is a narrow, upright slit in the side of the
cliff wall. There is no illumination within,
PCs must walk single file until reaching area 3. The DM
should determine the party’s marching order to see who gets
to experience the trap just ahead.
3. Spider Trap.
The jermlaine have added some refinements to the Gauntlet in
the few short months since moving in. Atong the 20-foot-high
cavern ceiling they've anchored a "spider web" of crisscross¬
ing rope lines. Two jermlaine stand on watch here, ready to
drop the husk of a large spider onto the first PC who enters
the cavern.
Read or paraphrase the following to the player of the lead
character:
The narrow passageway widens into a cavern. A hairy, mul¬
tilegged form drops down on you from the shadows above!
The Gauntlet
One square — 5 feet
GOAGOLDAND’S GAUNTLET
Along the north waif of the cavern is a secret door. The
secret door opens to a passageway that leads to a set of four
holding pits in area 16 and the jermlaine central lair in area 17.
If the dust of sneezing and choking trap is triggered (see
below), etves do not get their normal chance of detecting this
secret door merely by passing within 5 feet of it. This restric¬
tion remains in effect until the magical dust cloud settles to the
ground gd4 rounds after being triggered. If the Trap is not
triggered, or once the dust has settled, elves have their nor¬
mal chances of noticing the secret door.
Trap (EL 2): You might want to allow PCs in the front half
of the group a Spot check (DC 20) to see the ropes attached
to the spider. If the characters fait this check, the PCs auto¬
matically strike first, as the spider is just a hollow husk shed by
its previous owner and thus does not actually attack.
However, the jermlaine have filled the husk with a packet of
dust of sneezing and choking taken from a slain adventurer.
Anyone inflicting damage on the dessicated spider husk with a
piercing or slashing weapon rips it open and flings the magi¬
cal dust in a 10-foot radius that fills the room.
V* Dust of Sneezing and Choking Trap: CR 2; Fortitude save
negates (DC 15; initial 2d6 temporary Constitution, secondary
id6 temporary Constitution); Search (DC 15); Disable Device
(DC 15).
Creature (EL '/*): After loosing the spider husk on the PCs,
the two jermlaine hide in the crevices of the cavern ceiling;
PCs trying to spot the jermlaine must make a successful Spot
skill check opposed by the creatures' Hide skill checks. If the
GORGOLDAND’S GAUNTLET

Scaling the Adventure
Although this adventure is designed for
ist-level PCs, the module can be run for
2nd- to 4th-level PCs by changing the
strength and number of opponents and
traps. The “Encounter Level Table" at the
end of the adventure lists the encounter
levels for all the encounters. Use this as
a baseline for modifying the adventure
in the manner suggested below:
and-level PCs: The adventure, as
written, is a bit too easy for snd-level
PCs. Add one jermlaine to each of the
three jermlaine encounters, and deepen
the pit trap in area 4 to 20 feet. Give the
merrow a single level of warrior, have
the paralysis minefield deal idg points of
damage on a misstep, and add one more
animated statue lo area 14. If you use the
optional encounter at the end of the
adventure, give Breagar the dwarf
another level of rogue,
3rd-level PCs: Run the adventure with
the changes discussed above, plus the fol¬
lowing additional modifications: Give the
merrow a single level of fighter (instead
of a level of warrior), have the paralysis
minefield in area 11 deal id 4 points of
damage on a misstep, and add another
animated skeleton statue to area 14 (four
statues total). Also, make the statues
stone, which gives them a Hardness of
8. Additionally, coat the fishhooks in
area 6 with a mild venom (DC 14: initial
and secondary damage id4 temporary
Strength). Finally, add another ist-level
rogue (with statistics identical to
Rashanda's) to the final encounter.
4th-levd PCs: Run the adventure
with the changes discussed above, but
make the following additional modifica¬
tions: Deepen the pit trap in area 4 lo 30
feet deep, give the merrow two levels of
fighter, have the paralysis minefield in
area it deal id6 points of damage on a
misstep, and add another stone slaiue to
area 14 (five statues total). Goat the fish¬
hooks in area 6 with poison (DC 18; ini¬
tial and secondary damage of id6
Temporary Strength). Finally, make
Rotvil a 3rd deve! barbarian if you use
the final encounter.

PCs’ Listen skill checks are higher than the jermlaine’s Move
Silently skill checks, they hear catlike chitterings reminiscent of
laughter. If discovered, these jermlaine skitter off into secret
passageways carved into the cavern wall. The tunnels are
much too small for the PCs to follow. These passageways are
near ceiling level and wind back and forth before spilling out
into area 16.
# Jermlaine (2): CR Diminutive Monstrous Humanoid (i
ft* tall); HD ,4d8; hp 2 each; Init +2 (Dex); Spd 40; AC 14 (+2
Dex, +2 size); Aik 4-0 melee {id3-2, tiny club) or +2 ranged
(^4-2, small halfspear); SQ darkvision 60 ft*, +15 racial bonus
to Hide and Move Silently checks, +5 racial bonus to Listen
checks; AL N; SV Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +4; Str 6, Dex 15, Con
10, Int io, Wis 17, Cha 9.
Skills; Animal Empathy +2, Handle Animal +2, Hide +22,
Listen -ho, Move Silently +20, Open Lock +5, Spot +4. Feats:
Skill Focus (Hide),
Possessions: Tiny club, small ha If spear.
not, requires a successful Jump check* (The pit is 10 feel
across.) A running jump is possible as long as the dust has
cleared in area 3; otherwise, entering the dust cloud again
forces another Fortitude check to avoid its hazards.
V* Pit Trap: CR '/*; no attack roll necessary (id6); +10 melee
(id4 spikes for id4 points of damage per successful hit); Reflex
save (DC 20) avoids; Search (DC 21); Disable Device (DC 20).
y* Moss Trap: CR ’/*; no attack roll necessary: id2 points of
temporary Dexterity damage; Fortitude save (DC 16) negates.
Creatures (EL 1); To add Insult to injury, when the PCs crawl
back out of the pit (or while jumping over it) four jermlaine
approach from the east. Each throws a spear at the PCs and
then retreats, giggling all the way. PCs who make a successful
Spol skill check (DC 15) see that each jermlaine also carries
what appears to be a small shepherd’s crook*
% Jermlaine (4): hp 3 each; see area 3 for full statistics.
5* Chasm Entrance*

4. Trapped Room*
Once again, the passageway narrows, forcing travel in single
file. Dangling from the cavern ceiling is a thin rope, ending in
a loose Sasso made from hair along the ground. The words
“PUT FUT HEER” has been scrawled in chalk in the middle of
the open lasso-obviously, this is someone's childish idea of a
snare.
The area immediately beyond the rope lasso snare is a pit
trap (see Trap below). The jermlaine added the simplistic and
blatantly obvious snare trap to draw attention away from the
real danger. The rope lasso is only weakly attached to the cav¬
ern ceiling and can be pulled down easily. (A PC cannot use it
to prevent falling into the pit.)
Trap (EL 1): Gorgoldand created a simple pit trap here to test
the adventurers. Two hinged trap doors open inward to a 10-
foot pit if more than 50 pounds is placed on them. The
jermlaine have since modified the pit, wedging the snapped-off
blades of a few daggers into cracks in the stone pit floor.
Furthermore, the devious little pests have lined the pi! with a
rare underground moss with effects similar to poison ivy.
Jumping over the pit trap, whether it's been activated or
As you pursue the tiny tormentors, you see a chasm ahead.
The little humanoids dive over the ledge feet-firsr, one at a
time, with their crooks held out above them. Suddenly, you
brush up against several slim strings and feel the tug of
sharp metal on your face and arms!
The boxed text below assumes the PCs are in hot pursuit of
the spear-throwing jermlaine. If this is not the case, modify The
text accordingly.
Trap (EL 1): Across this area of the Gauntlet the jermlaine
have hung hundreds of fishhooks on slim lines woven from
hair. The fishhooks are staggered at various heights ranging
from 2-6 feet from the cavern floor; the foot-tall jermlaine
rush by at full speed, confident that they'll avoid entanglement.
DMs might want to allow the PCs a Spot cheek (DC 20) to see
the trap as they chase the jermlaine. (The DC is only 15 if the
PCs proceed with caution.)
A successful Dexterity check (DC 20) is needed to get free
of the fishhooks; each unsuccessful attempt deals another
point of damage. Optionally, any PC not entangled can cut
an entangled companion free with a slashing weapon. A

42 annual 2ooo

successful Search check discovers the trap. Ir can be disabled
with a successful Disable Device check,
y* Fishhook Trap: OR i; +8 melee {184+1) and entangle as the
spell; Reflex save negates entangle effect (DC 20); Search (DC
14); Disable Device (DC 10).
6. Chasm,
A 20-foot wide chasm cuts across the dungeon corridor. The
sound of splashing water emanates from
the chasm bottom. On the stone floor
across the expanset a visored helmet sits
upon the ground.
A20-f00T WIDE CHASM CUTS
Closer examination of the chasm reveals
some recent jermlaine modifications. A tiny ACROSS THE DUNGEON CORRIDOR.
pi ton hammered into I he stone on the
southwest side supports a thin thread
woven from hair (most of It human); this
ACROSS THE EXPANSE, A VISORED
thread acts as a zip-line for the jermlaine,
who “ride” the line using their crooks down
HELMET SITS UPON THE GROUND.
to a small hole in the ledge on the south east
side of the chasm. A similar setup exists for
sliding down From the northeast surface to the northwest
ledge. The threads do not support more than 25 pounds.
The jermlaine slide down the zip-lines to a hidey-hole in the
southeast ledge; this connects to a set of jermlaine-sized stairs
leading up to a small hole in the cavern floor covered by a
visored helmet. From inside the helmet, a single jermlaine can
use a tiny blowgun against the PCs under the benefit of 90%
cover, providing a +io bonus to AC. The blowgun darts deal 1
point of damage each; there are two dozen darts stored inside
ihe helmet. Once the PCs make it across the chasm, they can
simply lift the visored helmet up off the ground, exposing the
narrow jermlaine tunnel and stairway below. At this point, the
jermlaine retreat, using a tiny passageway that leads to their
i
main lair in area 17. The PCs are unable to navigate the tiny
jermlaine passageways.
A similar setup exists along the north side of the chasm. The
jermiame-sized stairs lead up to a hole in the floor at the
northwest side of the chasm; this hole is covered by a small
rock. At the bottom of the stairs is a side-shaft that leads back
to the jermlaine den in area 17.
The chasm is 20 feet wide and angles down to the lake
below. The chasm is only 15 Feet wide at the level of the
jermlaine ledges, some 10 feet below the dungeon floor and an
equal distance above the surface of the water. PCs can elect
to climb the north or south walls of the chasm; jump the chasm
GQRGOLDAND’S GAUNTLET
(a running jump is not possible unless the fishhooks in area 5
are cut down); or climb down the chasm, swim across, and
climb back up the east side of the chasm. See the Players
Handbook for rules governing Climb and Swim skill checks.
PCs falling into the wafer take no damage from the fall but
might drown if they are wearing heavy armor; they might also
find a nasty surprise waiting for them in the dark wafers of the
lake (see area 7).
7. Underwater Cave.
This large cavern is completely submerged and pitch black. The
PCs need dark vis ion or some type of magical illumination lo
see the caverns contents: a 16-fool wooden plank (originally
positioned by Gorgoldand at the west end of the chasm, later
pitched into the water by the jermlaine) and a few scattered
bones (human and jermlaine). Hidden under a large rock is a
canvas sack filled with 750 sp and 250 gp, A successful
Strength check (DC t8) is required to move the rock.
Creature (EL 2): Since Gorgoldand first set up his Gauntlet,
a marrow, outcast from his own tribe, has moved into the
underwater cavern. Depending on the relative strength of the
party, the merrow might be present during the adventure or
out hunting fish in the lake. If present, he hears anyone splash¬
ing into his cavern from above and approaches to investigate.
He attacks immediately upon discovering intruders. The
jermlaine are aware of the merrow s lair and avoid the water
at all costs,
^ Merrow (Aquatic Ogre): CR 2; Large Giant (g ft. tall); HD
488+8; hp 26; Init -1 (Dex); Spd 30 ft., swim 40 ft; AC 16 {-1
size, -1 Dex, +5 natural, +3 hide); Ark +8 melee (188+7, i°n8“
spear); AL CL; SV Fort +6; Ref +0; Will +1; Str 21, Dex 8t Con
15, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 7,
Skills: Climb +4, Listen +2, Spot +2. Peats: Weapon Focus
(longspear).
43
GORG OLD AMD'S GAUNTLET
■
8. Underwater Entrance.
This passageway is about to feet wide and leads from area 7
to the lake. The entry way is 10 feet below the surface of the
water and cannot be seen from above the waterline. PCs
investigating the cliff wall from below the waterline can find
this passageway with a successful Spot check (DC 12).
g. Pseudodragon Lair,
Snooky the pseudodragon lairs atop a high ledge along the cav-
ern overlooking the eastern side of the chasm. The lair is
engulfed in shadows and can't be seen by the PCs unless they
can levitate, fly, or otherwise gain access to the cavern celling.
A secret passage at the back of Snooky *s lair leads to a
shadowy overhang in area 11,
Creature (EL 1): Snooky stays our of sight, not wishing to
reveal his presence. Once the PCs pass by area 6, he surrep¬
titiously follows them, keeping track of their progress without
aiding them or revealing himself.
£ Snooky, Pseudodragon: CR 1; Tiny Dragon (3 ft. long); HD
2di2+2; hp 17; Init +0; Spd 15 ft., fly 60 ft. (good); AC 18 (+2
size, +6 natural); Atk +4 melee M3 and poison, sting), -1 melee
(1, bite); SA poison; SQ see invisibility, telepathy, immunities,
SR 19; AL NG; SV Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4; Str n, Dex 11, Con
13, Int iQ, Wis 12, Cha 10.
Skills: Hide +8 (+16 in forests and overgrown areas), Intuit
Direction +3, Listen +5, Search +2, Spot +5. Fear: Alertness.
SA—Poison (Ex): PCs struck by the pseudodragon's sting
must make a successful Fortitude save (DC 12) or fall asleep for
1 minute. One minute later, another DC 12 Fortitude save is
required; failure causes idg days of steep.
SQ—See in visibility (Ex): Pseudodragons continuously see
invisible as the spell, with a range of 60 feet.
SQ- Telepathy (Su): Pseudo dragons can speak telepathically
with beings that speak Common or Sylvan, provided they are
44 annual 2ooo
THE DOOR'S DIALS
DIAL i DIAL 2 DIAL 3 DIAL 4
B A I D
DELE
S L N N
WORT
THE RIDDLE
Spelled front to back it's a person’s
name or a preventive guard, it's
certain.
Spelled back to front, it's what you do
with a bow, a blank page, or a curtain.
within 60 feet.
SQ—Immunities (Ex): Pseudo dragon 5 are immune to sleep
and paralysis.
Treasure: Snooky's measure consists of two small wooden
boxes of nails, three metal gauntlets, two tin spoons, a belt
pouch filled with 38 gp (all of which Snooky doles out to the
rust monsters in area io), a single leather glove (a left-handed
glove of storing), 3 jar of Keogh tom s ointment, and a dozen
copies of the map the PCs used to find the Gauntlet.
10. Rust Monster Lair.
This chamber is blocked from side to side by a low wall of
mortared bricks. The wall stands 8 feel tall, while the ceiling of
the cavern is 15 feet high.
PCs should have little difficulty climbing over the wall; it’s
low enough that a boost up by a friend should get even the
shortest PC to the top. Once the PCs have reached the top of
the wall, read or paraphrase the following:
The door inscription Is a riddle, which reads:
The wait is 1 foot thick. Behind and built into the wall is a 5-
foot-high shelf that runs parallel to the Floor. An odd wooden
door is set into the far end of The cavern. Words have been
carved into the door, but at this distance it’s impossible to
make our whar they say.
SPELLED FRONT TO BACK, ITS A PERSON'S NAME
OR A PROTECTIVE GUARD, FOR CERTAIN.
SPELLED BACK TO FRONT, IT’S WHAT YOU DO
WITH A BOW, BLANK PAGE, OR CURTAIN.
Below the door are four wooden dials, each with four
different letters carved on its surface. The answer to the r
 GORGOLDAND’S GAUNTLET

riddle is therefore a four-letter word, which must be spelled
out with the four dials. The diagram above shows which letters
appear on each dial. The answer to the riddle is “WARD."
Creatures (EL 5): Even if the players solve the riddle right-
away, the PCs are attacked by the two rust monsters hiding
under the brick shelf jutting out from the wall. The rust men-
sters attack before the PCs can turn the four dials into the
correct configuration. The rust monsters are hungry, but they
have been trained to wait until the PCs step on the floor of the
cavern before attacking. If the PCs peek over the edge of the
overhang and discover the rust monsters, the creatures attack
immediately.
f Rust Monsters (a): CR 3; Medium-size Aberration (5 ft.
long); HD gdS+g; hp 25,21; Init +3 (Dex); Spd 40 ft.; AC 18 (+3
Dex, +5 natural); Atk +3 melee (rust, 2 antennae), -2 melee
(idg, bite); SA rust; SQ scent; Al_ N; SV Fort +2, Ref +4, Will
+5; Str to, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 3,
Skills: Listen +9, Spot +9. Feat: Alertness.
SA—Rust (Ex): A rust monster that makes a successful touch
attack with its antennae causes the target metal to corrode,
falling fo pieces and becoming useless immediately. The size of
the object is immatenal-a full suit of armor rusts away as
quickly as a sword. Magic armor and weapons, and other
enchanted items made of metal, must succeed at a Reflex save
(DC 20) or be dissolved. A metal weapon that deals damage to
a rust monster also corrodes immediately. Wooden, stone, and
other nonmettalic weapons are unaffected.
SQ-Scent (Ex): Rust monsters detect opponents within 30
feet by smell. If the opponent is upwind, the range increases to
6o feet; if downwind, it drops to 15 feet.
The rust monsters head for the largest concentration of
metal (such as a well-armored PC). Being somewhat ungainly,
they cannot climb onto the shelf sticking our of the wall,
although their antennae can reach PCs perched there. PCs not
wishing to lose most of their metallic armor and equipment can
climb back onto the wall, out of the rusi monsters’ reach, while
they puzzle out the solution to the riddle.
Once the four dials are in the correct configuration, the
door swings outward into the next room, supported on hinges
at the top instead of at the side. The fact that the entire door
is made of wood prevents the rust monsters from corroding it
and gaining access to other parts of the Gauntlet
If the players cannot figure out the riddle, the door must be
opened through other means. It can easily be opened from the
other side, where the locking mechanisms are visible.
Ip Locked Wooden Door: 1.5 in. thick; Hardness 5; hp 15;
Break (DC 18); Open Lock (DC 25),
ii. Paralysis Minefield *
The floor of the cavern is smooth, although the walls remain
jagged stone. Twenty feet ahead, the floor is divided into 160
squares, each a 2-foot by 2-foot metal plate, forming an 8
square by 20 square grid.
By the time the PCs arrive in this part of the Gauntlet,
Snooky the pseudodragon has crawled through the secret
passageway in the back of his lair to perch on a shadowy

THE MINEFIELD SOLUTION

0 0 0 1 2 -* 2 0 i 1 1 2 *- 2 1 \ 0 0 0 0
1 1 1 2 3 1 1 ■* 2 3 2 1 ■+ 1 0 1 2 2
1 ■* 2 2 2 ■+ 2 2 1 3 ■* 4 2 2 1 1 1 2 * *
t 3 * 2 \ 3 + 2 1 3 + 4 2 1 T 3 4 5 3
0 3 * 3 0 3 * 3 1 * 2 3 + 3 2 * 4 4 *
0 2 * 4 2 3 * 3 3 3 2 1 2 X 3 2 3 3 1

1 2 3 * * 2 1 2 *- * 2 t 1 2 * 2 2 1 1 0

] * 2 2 2 \ 0 1 2 3 * 1 0 1 2 * 1 0 0 0
 GORG OLD AMD’S GAUMTJil
L
overhang looking into this room. Using his telepathic powers,
he contacts the PCs;
Trap (EL 2): Each time a PC steps onto a square, Snooky
Suddenly, a voice speaks in your head. “Many of the squares
ahead are trapped,” it says. “I wifi not tell you where the
traps are located, but as you stand upon a square, I will telf
you how many trapped squares are adjacent to that one. The
rest is up to you ”
(true to his word) informs her of how many trapped squares
are adjacent to that one. Diagram 1 shows the locations of the
traps and the number of traps adjacent to each square, so you
can pass the information, square by square, to the players.
Diagram 2 can be given to the players so they can track
their characters’ progress, filling In the information on the
squares as the PCs move down the corridor.
Anyone stepping on a trapped square takes t point of elec-
EACH Of THE ASCfMDIMG
STAIRS KAS A WORD f NGRAVfD
OMITS FRONT FACE;
THE WORDS All G10W SUGHTLY
trical damage and must make a successful Fortitude saving
throw (DC 20) or be paralyzed. Triggering a trapped square
does not make that square “safe,” as anyone else subsequently
stepping onto that square also runs the risk of paralysis, A
paralyzed PC that remains standing on a trapped square is not
automatically paralyzed or damaged again when the initial pap¬
al yzation wears off; she can step freely from that square. If
46 annual2ooo
the PC steps back onto the trapped square at a later time, how¬
ever, she must make another Fortitude save to avoid the dam¬
age and paralysis.
The easiest way for the PCs to get through the minefield
is to write down how many traps each square is adjacent to*
Any time the PCs stand on a square that is adjacent to no
traps, they know that it is safe to stand on each of the (up to)
eight squares touching that one. The way the traps have been
positioned, if is possible for the PCs to make it through the
gridwork without losing a member of the party to a trapped
square.
Climbing along the natural stone walls requires a Climb
check (DC 20). If a climbing PC falls, the DM must determine
which square she lands on, as the PC might need to make a
Fortitude save to avoid paralysis.
Once the PCs have made it past the trap they come to a
standard wooden door. The door is unlocked, and opens out¬
ward into the next room.
V* Electrified, Paralyzing Floor: CR 2; t
point of damage and paralysis for 3dio+3o
minutes per square contacted; Fortitude
save negates paralysis (DC 20).
Creatures (EL r): If the PCs take longer
than 5 minutes to cross the room, four
jermlaine come to investigate. The four
jermlaine descend the stairs on the other
side of the door (they have discovered the
|
secret of the stairs through Trial and error,
though they can’t read the message written
on them—see area for details) and push it
open enough for two of them at a time to
hurl javelins at paralyzed PCs. (Treat the jermlaine as having
three-quarters cover from the door.) The jermlaine hoot and
taunt the PCs as they struggle through the room, but they
leave if any of the PCs get dose enough to jump into the door¬
way or if they run out of javelins, whichever happens first.
^ Jermlaine (4): hp 3 each; see area 3 for full statistics.

12* Stairway,
Beyond the door is a narrow corridor. Unlike the rest of the
natural cave network seen so far, this passageway is carved
Into the rock; the floor, ceiling, and walls are smooth.
Each of the ascending steps has a single word engraved on
its front face; the words all glow slightly, making them easy to
read even in the gloom of the corridor Beginning at the bot¬
tom step and reading up, the words say;
IT SEEMS EVERY SECOND OR THIRD TIME I STEP AWAY,
FATE IS THERE, WITHOUT A DOUBT, TO TRAP MY COURSE,
The solution to this stairway is found by reading
every third word; doing so reveals the message
“EVERY THIRD STEP IS A TRAP.” If the PCs avoid
every third step, they can ascend to the upper level
without incident.
Trap (EL 2): Anyone stepping on one of the third
steps triggers a magic trap. Instantly, an iilusionary
sheet of flames whooshes up from the step, obscur¬
ing anyone or anything on that step from view. At
the same time, the person or object on the step is
fekported to a holding pit in area 16. The next round the
flames automatically extinguish, leaving nothing behind.
Gorgoldand’s intention was to make it seem as if the person or
object triggering the trap was instantly incinerated, taking him
out of the picture without actually causing the individual any
real harm.
Each trapped step can be activated more than once, but only
a total of four victims (or objects) can be claimed by this trap.
See area 16 for details.
Y* Teleportation Trap: CR 2; teleport to area 16; Reflex save
avoids (DC 27); Search (DC 25); Disable Device (DC 32).
13* Gorgoldand’s Den.
At the top of the stairs is a small room with a metal door set
into the far wall. Hanging on the walls are various weapons
mounted on wooden plaques.
The weapons might be unfamiliar to some PCs, as they’re
not weapons chosen by most adventurers. Mounted on a
plaque of dark wood is a pair of siangham; the plaque is
engraved: "PA’S HAND WEAPONS, GUTST1CKERS.”
On the second wooden plaque is a metal gauntlet (right
hand) with spikes protruding from the knuckles. The legend
“PA'S GAUNTLET, FIST OF PAIN” Is carved into the plaque.
On the wall across from the other two plaques is a longer
one, upon which is hung a falchion. The inscription below it
reads: “PA’S SWORD, ISLETS LAUGHTER."
Anyone touching the doorknob of the metal door activates a
permanent magic mouth that says: “Not without the password,
you don’t. Whafs the password?” This recurs any time the door
is touched without first saying the password. The password, of
course, is in plain sight of the PCs, written on the falchion’s
plaque inscription. By rearranging the spaces between the let¬
ters to form new words, “PA’S SWORD, ISLETS LAUGHTER”
becomes “PASSWORD IS LET SLAUGHTER."
The door is locked. The PCs need only speak the words “let
slaughter” in Common before opening the door. Optionally,
they can try picking the lock or bashing their way through the
door, but this is a difficult process.
Ip Iron Door: 2 in. thick; Hardness 10; hp 60; Break (DC 28);
GORGOLDAND’S GAUNTLET
Open Lock (DC 24).
Treasure; Any of the weapons can be taken from the
plaques and used by the PCs. The two siangham, spiked metal
gauntlet, and falchion are all +1 weapons. The sound of ocean
waves breaking upon a beach emanates from the falchion
whenever its hilt is grasped.
tf the weapons are examined using a detect magic spell,
each one emanates Transmutation magic. While the PCs are
free to use any of these weapons while inside the Gauntlet,
once the weapons are brought outside the cave complex they
automatically teleport back to the plaques in this room. If the
THE PLAQUE IS EWGRAVEU:
“PA’S HAND WEAPONS,
GUTSTiCKERS.”
plaques are removed or destroyed, the weapons reappear on
the floor of the chamber.
14* Skeleton Trap.
Read or paraphrase the following text to the players when the
PCs enter this room:
When the PCs enter the room, they can make a Spot skill
check (DC 20) to notice a set of narrow grooves rising verti¬
cally from the floor along each side of the doorway leading
into the room. As they approach the center of the room, they
Beyond the door is a short passageway leading to an open
archway 20 feet high. The 30-foot by 40-foot room beyond
sports a 25-foot-high ceiling and is lit by golden-hued con¬
tinual flame spells. Four columns stretch from floor to ceil¬
ing. The entire chamber has been carved from stone and
painstakingly smoothed and polished, giving the room the
appearance of a fancy hall in a lord’s manor rather than part
of a dungeon. Flanking a mirror mounted to the far wall are
two skeletons, each grasping a shortsword. Letters are
carved into the wall above the mirror, but at this distance
you can’t make them out.
can tell that the skeletons and their swords seem to be carved
from white stone. (The statues are actually carved from wood
and painted white, but their swords are made of stone.) Their
skulls are smooth where the eye sockets should be. The letters
carved above the mirror spell out the word “TIRIANISPORI-
TIUS." Furthermore, anyone gazing into the mirror sees an
exact reflection of the room, except that the room in the mir¬
ror shows a pile of loose coins, gems, and several weapons
scattered upon the floor, with a set of six large tomes stacked
in the corner.
The mirror is a magical transport device, activated by
speaking the proper command word. The command word can
be gleaned by noting the eyeless skeletal statues and applying
that to the word carved above the mirror. Removing the "fs”
from the word “Tirianisporitius" gives the true command word;
“transports"
47
 GORGOLDAND'S GAUNTLET
If the command word is spoken within 15 feet of the mirror,
the mirror's image darkens to an inky black and acts as a
dimension door that leads straight to the treasure room in area
15. A similar mirror graces the interior of the treasure room,
which works in the same manner. The treasure room is other¬
wise shielded against teleportation magic.
Touching the mirror or statues without first uttering the
proper command word (see below) triggers the Trap and acti¬
vates the Creatures.
Trap (EL 1): Touching the mirror or statues without first
THE TREASURE STARTS TO MOVE
FASTER AND FASTER AROUNDJ A
CENTRAL POINT, AS IF DAAWNBY
AN INVISIBLE WHIRLPOOL.
uttering the command word causes a portcullis to crash down
in the doorway (along the grooves), blocking escape from the
room. Anyone standing directly under the portcullis when it
fails must make a successfui Reflex saving throw (DC 15) or be
struck for ad6 points of damage and pinned. A PC pinned
under the portcullis must make a Strength check or an Escape
Artist check (DC 20) to extricate himself. A maximum of three
(pinned or unpinned) PCs can help lift the portcullis high
enough to allow others to crawi underneath it* (Use the “Aid
Another” rule in the Player's Handbook.)
V* Portcullis Trap: CR 2; +10 melee (ad 6 points of damage
to PC underneath, blocks passage); Search (DC 16); Disable
Device (DC so).
Creatures (EL 3): As the portcullis falls, the skeletal statues
animate and attack everyone in the room. The statues fight
until they are destroyed, the intruders are slain, the intruders
leave the room, or the correct command word is spoken aloud.
(In all but the former case, they immediately cease battle and
resume their original positions flanking the mirror.) The stat¬
ues do not leave this room of their own accord under any con¬
ditions. Despite having no eyes or eye sockets, the skeletal
statues act as if they have 6o-foot darkvision. However,
despite their skeletal appearance, the statues are not undead
(they’re carved from wood) and thus cannot be turned.
^ Animated Skeletal Statues (2): CR 2; Medium-size
Construct; HD adio; hp 12 each; Init +0; Spd 40 fL; AC 15 (+5
natural); Atk +2 melee (tdG+i, stone shortsword); SQ construct,
hardness; AL N; SV Fort +0, Ref +oP Will -5; Str 12, Dex 10,
Con Int -, Wis 1, Cha 1.
SQ—Construct: Immune to mind-influencing effects, poison,
disease, and similar effects. Not subject to critical hits, sub- dual
damage, ability damage, energy drain, or death from massive
damage,
SQ—Hardness: The wooden statues have a Hardness of 5,
15, Treasure Room,
The interior of this 30-foof by 40-foot room is lit with contin¬
ual flame spells. The ceiling is 25 feet high and supported by
four pillars, and the entire room has been carved from stone.
48 annual 2ooo
Scattered about the floor are loose heaps of coins and gems,
with the occasional weapon poking out of a pile. Six large
tomes are stacked in the corner.
One round after the PCs enter the room, the scattered
treasure starts to move, telekinetically dragging across the
floor of the room counterclockwise, as if drawn by an invisi¬
ble whirlpool. The objects move faster and faster around a
central point in the middle of the room, forming an upward-
thrusting pillar of treasure. Gradually, this pillar takes on a
vaguely draconic shape with a head, a tail, four legs, and a pair
of short wings.
Creature (EL 4): The “coin dragon”
[llfp immediately attacks everyone in the room,
slapping opponents with its tail or wings. In
R
M DV
fV
addition, the coin dragon can shoot a bar-
rage of coins and gems from its mouth like
a breath weapon. After firing a coin bar-
|\|_ Jf rage, the coin dragon must telekinetically
reabsorb the coins and gems back into its
body the following round, so it is restricted
to a tail- or wing-slap attack the round
after using its breath weapon.
Most ordinary weapons do little or no
damage to the coin dragon. Piercing and slashing weapons
slide right through the loose objects in its “body,” doing no
damage, A blunt weapon like a mace or club might dislodge a
handful of coins, but these are easily returned to the coin
dragon the following round. (They are sucked back into the
creature’s body telekinetically.)
A dispel magic cast upon the creature causes the disparate
objects forming the dragon's body to crash to the floor, leaving
the dragon “bodiless.” The creature reforms its “body” Ihe fol¬
lowing round, but this allows PCs time to escape. The creature
Is not permanently destroyed until it loses all of its hit points.
The coin dragon never leaves its treasure room and natu¬
rally heals 3 hit points per day. PCs in combat with a coin
dragon might find it necessary to do some damage, leave the
treasure room to heal up and prepare new spells, then con¬
tinue the assault later (possibly over the course of several
days, depending upon the strength of the party),
# Coin Dragon (1): CR 4; Medium-Size Construct (7 ft, long);
HD 3dio; hp 18; Init +0; Spd 40 ft,; AC 14 (+4 natural); Atk +4
melee (id6+2, tail slap or wing slap); SA breath weapon; SQ con¬
struct, damage reduction 10/+1, resistances; AL N; SV Fort +0,
Ref +oP Will -5; Str 14, Dex 10, Con -, Int -P Wis 10, Cha 1.
SA-Breath Weapon (Su): The coin dragon can breathe a 20-
foot cone of coins and gems that deals id8+2 points of dam¬
age to anyone in the area of effect; a successful Reflex save
(DC 14) halves the damage. The breath weapon is usable only
once every other round,
SQ—Construct: Immune to mind-influencing effects, poison,
disease, and similar effects. Not subject to critical hits, sub¬
dual damage, ability damage, energy drain, or death from mas¬
sive damage.
SQ—Resistances (Ex): The coin dragon has acid, cold, elec¬
tricity, and fire resistance 5.
Treasure: Once the coin dragon is slain, the PCs are free to
recover rhe treasure that made up its body, as well as the six
tomes that Gorgoldand often used as an excuse to send heroes
into the Gauntlet in the first place. The tomes are all completely
blank. (Gorgoldand, in his role as a human sage, would claim
 GORGQLDAND’S GAUNTLET

that the writing was invisible, requiring a special sei of magic scious captive back to the cavern entrance at area 2 to be dis¬
spectacles to read.) The PCs are free to use the blank tomes covered by the rest of the adventuring band upon their return
as diaries, journals, for mapping, or as future spellbooks. to the surface.
Besides the tomes, the accumulated treasure breaks down to This agreement keeps everyone happy (with the possible
2,000 cp; 550 sp; 300 gp; 16 gemstones worth 250 gpt 100 gp exception of the victim). The jermlaine get to humiliate a mem¬
(X3), 50 gp (x/), and 10 gp (x5) respectively; two masterwork ber of “the giant races" and acquire more hair for their ropes,
daggers; a light mace; a scimitar; and Hoardmaster, a while Smoky gets to play a practical joke on an adventurer
longs word detailed in the sidebar. (who, in all fairness, would have been slain if the teleport trap
was as lethal as Gorgoldand made it appear). The pseudodragon
*6. Holding Pits. ensures that the jermlaine don't kill their victims and uses
These holding pits are accessed by a secret passage in area 3. metal objects from victims to feed the rust monsters.
Anyone or anything activating the trap in area 12 is teleported
without error into one of the four pits (pits A,
B, C, and D, in that order). Once each pit has
a victim or object within, it no longer func¬
tions as a teleport destination until such time
as the pit is no longer occupied. The pits are
THE TERMLA1NE SLEW THE FIRST
to feet on all sides, carved into the stone

floor of the cavern, and topped with a 3-foot

ADVENTURER THAT TELEPORTED INTO
by 3-foot door of iron bars that opens out THEIR LATRINE PIT, SHAVED HIM BALD ...
from the cage lop.
Gorgoldand originally intended these pits as AND FEASTED ON HIM FOR A WEEK.
holding areas for adventurers who had fallen
victim to his teleporr trap in area 12.
Gorgoldand would escort these victims back to
the cavern entrance and cast a lesser gees spell on them, com¬ 17. Jermlaine Den,
pelling the adventurers to refrain from telling anyone else about The jermlaine have tiny passageways carved throughout this
the secrets of the Gauntlet and Gorgotdand’s involvement. area, leading to their diminutive living alcoves and scattered
Unfortunately, the jermlaine soon discovered the secret treasure troves. Because of the size of their tunnels, only
door in area 3 and made their lair in a series of twisting pas¬ those as small as a jermlaine can traverse the passageways.
sages connected to the holding pits. The pits were put to good Creatures (EL varies): A combined total of 30 jermlaine live
use as jermlaine middens, and the vicious little creatures see in the dan: 2 from area 3, 4 from area 4, 4 from area it, and 23
no reason to stop the practice just because an occasional others. Of these, twelve are non combatant children. The other
adventurer pops into existence inside their latrine pits! eleven have 3 hit points each; see area 3 for complete statistics.
The jermlaine slew the first adventurer that teleported into Treasure: In the event the PCs somehow manage to force
Iheir latrine pit, shaved him bald, used his hair to weave their the jermlaine to hand over their treasure, it consists of 14 gp,
ropes and nets, and feasted on him for a week. Snooky was 103 sp, seven gems valued at 10 gp each, two potions of cure
outraged at this betrayal; up until then, he thought the jermlaine light wounds, and a scroll of levitate. The jermlaine are illiter¬
were just playing elaborate, if somewhat dangerous, practical ate and unaware of the scroll's value: After the chieftain's chil¬
jokes on those adventurers willing to try their hand at the dren fingerpainted crude images on the back of it in mud, he
Gauntlet. Eventually, they agreed to a compromise: Snooky hung it in his den. The jermlaine band also has the equivalent
would use his tail venom to put any victims who teleported into of 150 feet of rope cut into various lengths, all woven from
the holding pits to sleep; the jermlaine would strip the victim of humanoid hair.
all possessions (except for some metal bits Snooky keeps),
shave him bald, and bind the victim’s ankles and wrists. Then
Snooky and the jermlaine would drag the helpless and uncon-

49
GQRGOLDAND’S GAUNTLET
Hoardmaster
Gorgoldand slocks I he treasure room of hts Gauntlet with
various treasures, but one thing he’s sure To include each
time is a Hoardmaster sword. Each Hoardmaster is a +/
longsword with a hilt carved to resemble a dragon’s head.
Two rubies take the place of the dragon's eyes. These ruby
"eyes” are actually scrying devices, allowing Gorgoldand to
see through them as if they were his own. This allows the gold
dragon to keep tabs on the adventuring bands wise and pow¬
erful enough to make it to the end of his Gauntlet, for they
might prove useful to him some day.
Hoardmaster gets its name from its ability to create a coin
dragon if placed within a loose pile of coins and gems. This
allows a treasure hoard to more or less guard itself; details on
the coin dragon are provided in the description of area 15.
Whoever places the sword with some treasure can later
retrieve it without activating the coin dragon. Others are not
so lucky. Of course, this means the PCs must choose between
Exiting the Gauntlet
The PCs should have no trouble exiting the Gauntlet, as they
will have already encouniered all of the traps on their way in,
and the jermlaine wont he looking for them anymore. PCs who
were "incinerated” by the stair trap at area 12 are found naked,
bound, and probably fast asleep (under the effects of pseudo¬
dragon venom) in area 2 when the PCs return. All of their gear
is gone: Metallic items have been taken to Snooky’s lair in area
g; everything else has been claimed by the jermlaine.
Any of the magic weapons taken from area 13 (the two
siangham, the spiked gauntlet, and the falchion) automatically
teleport back to that room when taken outside the confines of
the Gauntlet. Any weapons taken from the Treasure room in
area 15 remain with the PCs as they exit the Gauntlet.
As “Gorgoldand’s Gauntlet” is primarily a puzzle-based
adventure, players who prefer "more action, less thinking"
mighl feel short-changed. If your players are of that bent, the
following scenario can be Inserted at the very end of the
adventure when the PCs climb back up to the clrfftop after
exiting the Gauntlet. Remember that by the time the PCs have
finished the Gauntlet, they should be 2nd level. (They won't
gain a level until they have rested, however.) PCs weakened by
their ordeal in the dungeon will find this encounter challeng¬
ing, As the DM, you must take a careful measure of the parly
before throwing this encounter their way.
Creatures (EL 4): The PCs aren't the only ones with a copy
of the map leading to the Gauntlet. Several other adventuring
bands have already experienced the Gauntlet for themselves
Encounter Level Chart
Area Encounter Description EL
3 Dust of Sneezing and 2 11
Choking Trap
3 2 Jermlaine .'•1/2
4 Pit Trap and Moss Trap 1 74
4 4 Jermlaine 1 34
5 fishhook Trap i *5
7 Merrow 2 *7
9 Snooky the Pseudodragon ‘ .1
10 2 Rust Monsters ;.::5
5o annual 2ooo
bringing Hoardmaster with them as a weapon or leaving it
behind to guard their other treasures. Gorgoldand doesn't
mind at when adventurers leave their Hoardmasters behind,
as it allows him to scry their treasure for any interesting
magical items. If he sees anything interesting, he's not against
using a teleport without error spell to show up and study the
item of interest. Gorgoldand created the Hoardmasters so
that he would nor trigger any coin dragon attacks himself. Of
course, the gold dragon would never steal anything from the
adventurers’ hoard.
Hoardmaster can detect coins once/day, upon command.
The sword points to the largest collection of coins within a
6o-foot radius, regardless of intervening walls, hidden pas¬
sages, or the like. The ability functions for 10 rounds each
time it is used.
Caster Level: 12th; Prerequisites: Enchant Arms and
Armor, scry, telekinesis, unseen servant; Market Price: 18,312
gp; Weight: 4 lbs.
and moved on in either triumph or disappointment. One par¬
ticular band, Rotvifs Rogues, entered the Gauntlet and were
quickly rebuffed. Not willing to be driven away from possible
treasure by a bunch of stinking jermlaine, but also not partic¬
ularly eager to return to the Gauntlet's interior, the Rogues
have been camping out in the area, licking their wounds and
keeping an eye out for other adventuring bands. When the PCs
approached and entered I he cavern network, Rotvil and his
gang saw their chance for some quick riches: All they had to
do was hang around until the PCs returned from the Gauntlet
and take their accumulated loot from them.
By the time the second PC climbs up to the top of the cliff,
she finds a party of four humanoids racing on foot toward the
cliff from 300 feet away, hollering like banshees. (The Rogues
had intended on getting here earlier and setting up an ambush,
but as usual, poor planning and a sleepy sentry got in the way
of their ambitions.) Rotvil, the leader, is a half-ore barbarian;
despite their name, only one gang member is a rogue. The oth¬
ers are a dwarven ranger and a human monk. All four have
weapons drawn as they race toward the PCs. Rotvil wields a
greatsword, the monk has a javelin, and the other two wield
loaded crossbows. Their plan was simple: take the first PC
hostage if possible, disarm him, and repeat the process with
each PC as he reached the top of the cliff. Unfortunately for
them, their tardiness means the PCs have a better chance of
holding on to their well-earned treasure.
Tactics: Rotvil rages and races headlong into melee combat.
Montego the monk hurls his javelin and then doses for hand-
I
Area Encounter Description EL
Paralysis Minefield 2
11 4 Jermlaine I
T2 Teleportation Trap 2
Portcullis Trap 1
2 Animated Skeleton Statues 3
Coin Dragon 4
Jermlaine Tribe varies
Exit Rotvifs Rogues 4
 GORGOLDAND'S GAUNTLET

to-hand combat as well. The other two hold their distance and spot. (Don’t make this a common occurrence, lest the players
use iheir crossbows, switching to melee weapons only when come to expect their powerful gold dragon buddy to show up
they run out of bolts or the PCs close in on them. every time they get into a jam.) Of course, Gorgoldand need
f Rotvil, Male Half-ore Bbn2: CR 2; Medium-size Humanoid not present himself in dragon form, but merely as a human
(6 ft. tall); HD 2di2+2; hp 20; hit +1 (Dex); Spd 40 ft.; AC 14 (+1 sage, wizard, or sorcerer. In any case, if the PCs gain
Bex, +3 armor); Aik +4 melee {2d6Wcrit 19-20, greatsword) Hoardmaster, you have a possible link to future adventures.
or +4 melee (id^i+2/crft 19-20, dagger); 3A rage ?/day; SQ Any of the following ideas could be developed into a further
half-ore, uncanny dodge (Dex bonus to AC); AL NE; SV Fort adventure:
+4; Ref +1; Will -1; Str 14, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 9, Cha 10.
Skiffs: Climb +6, Jump +6, Listen +3, Wilderness Lore 4-2. * A Hoardmaster sword is stolen from another adventuring
Feat: Weapon Focus (greatsword). band who survived a previous excursion into the Gauntlet.
Possessions: Studded leather armor, greatsword, dagger, These NPCs learn of the PCs’ Hoardmaster, jump to the erro¬
waterskin, backpack. neous conclusion that the PCs stole the sword from them, and
$ Breagar, Male Dwarf Rgn: CR 1; Medium-size Humanoid make appropriate plans for payback.
(4 ft. 2 in. fall); HD idio+2; hp 12; Init +5 (+1 Dex, +4 Improved
Initiative); Spd 20 ft.; AC 14 (+1 Dex, +3 armor); Atk +2 ranged * It turns out that Gorgoldand pul a few extra abilities in his
{idS/crif 19-20, light crossbow) or +3 melee (id^/crtt 19-20, Hoardmaster swords. After succumbing to a magic trap leav¬
dagger); SA favored enemy (goblinoids); SQ dwarf, track; AL ing him petrified but still conscious, the dragon sends his will
LE; SV Fort +4, Ref +1, Wilt -1; Str 11, Dex 12, Con 15, Int 9, Wis out to the nearest Hoardmaster (the one owned by the PCs,
9, Cha 8.
Skiffs: Lisren +2, Move Silently +3, Intuit
Direction +2, Wilderness Lore +2. Feat:
Improved initiative. SO, WHERE’S GORGOLDAND?
Possessions: Studded leather armor,
dagger, light crossbow with 20 bolts, water¬ If THE DRAG ON DEEMS THEM
skin, backpack, potion of cure fight wounds.
f Montego, Male Human Mnki: CR 1;
Medium-Size Humanoid (5 ft. g in. tall); HD
WORTHY, HE MIGHT APPROACH
id8; hp 8; Init +2 (Dex); Spd 30 ft.; AC 12 (+2
Dex); Atk +0 melee (id6, unarmed strike) or
THEM IN THE FUTURE.
+2 ranged (id6, javelin); SA stunning attack;
SD evasion; AL LE; SV Fort +2, Ref +4, Will
+2; Str 10, Dex 14, Con 10, Int gT Wis 10, Cha 10. naturally) and uses the sword to point the way to his location.
Skiffs: Climb +3, Jump 4-4, Listen +3, Move Silently +5,, The PCs must follow l he sword to Gorgoldand s location, brav¬
Swim +3, Feats: Dodge, Mobility. ing whatever dangers face them on the way.
Possessions: Javelin, waterskin, backpack, monk's outfit.
£' Rash and a, Female Human Rogi: CR 1; Medium-size Human¬ # A sorcerer holding Hoardmaster finds that, perhaps due to
oid (5 ft., 6 in, tall); HD id6-i; hp 5; Init +1 (Dex); Spd 30 ft.; the legendary claim that dragon blood courses through a sor¬
AC 13 (+i Dex, +2 armor); Atk -1 melee (idG-i/cril 19-20, short cerer's veins, she can actually scry through Gorgoldand’s
sword) or +0 ranged (idfi/crit 19-20, light crossbow); SA sneak eyes! This might be a good way for the PCs to learn of the
attack +id6; AL CE; SV Fort -iT Ref +4, Will -ho; Str 9, Dex 13, sword’s link to the gold dragon that created it and could eas¬
Con g, Int 11, Wis to, Cha 12. ily lead to adventures based on knowledge obtained through
Skiffs: Bluff +5, Climb 4-3, Disable Device +5, Hide +5, Jump Gorgoldand’s vision. ®
+3, Listen 4-4, Move Silently +5, Open Locks +5, Search 4-4.
Feats: Lightning Reflexes, Run, Johnathan is the author of several Dungeon Magazine modules,
Possessions: Leather armor, shortsword, light crossbow with including the popular “Challenge of Champions" series. He has
20 bolts, waterskin, backpack. also written several Ecology articles for Dragon Magazine,
including 'The Ecology of the Jermfaine” and (iThe Ecology of
{ Concluding the Adventure the PseudodragonP
So where’s Gorgoldand? That’s a question that’s been deliber¬
ately left for you to answer, as best fits your campaign. It’s
possible that the gold dragon is off visiting the outer planes or
engaged in a tricky bit of spell research; he might even have
been captured by a powerful enemy. Rescuing the gold dragon
might be a task for the PCs once they reach higher levels and
learn of his existence.
At she DM’s option, Gorgoldand can keep a watchful eye
over the PCs’ actions through the scrying ability of their
newly-acquircd Hoardmaster sword. If l he dragon deems them
worthy, he might approach them in the future to hire them for
a specific task, or possibly even help the PCs get out of a hard
Check out these November events!
11/7/00, 5 P.M. (PST)
Living Verge™ Introduction
with Phil Tobin, Ed Gibson,
and Ramsey Lundock

ixwiti
ne,fiso0

11/29/00, 5 p.m. (PST)

Ask Your D&D®
t Questions! >
\ with Skip /
\ "The Sage" 11
\ Williams //>

^ Give us X
^ a piece of your mind. \ I
Or all of it.
Say a lot. Say a little.
Ask questions. Get answers.
Pick the brains of people who
^ make our games great.

Speak up: www.wizards.com/chst ^

SMf S ■©^OlKI Lucaaiilme Ltd, Alt rigtils reserved. Stir W2M am} related marks are trademarks of Lucaafilms, Lid.
WtZAflOS Of FHE Coast, Spirit Wars, Living l^e, ar>d wzards.comrnmlly are trademarks of Wizards of Itio Coast, Inc. £52000 Wizards.
 Making D&J) Maps the Wizards of the Coast Way
by Michael G. Ryan
Every DM has done it: bought a pad of graph paper and mapped out a dungeon lair, a coastal village, or
an entire nation for the players to explore. In short order, that map gets scuffed up by pencil marks
showing the characters’ travel route, Xs where pitfalls are hidden or where dungeons are located, and
the wear-and-tear that inevitably comes from a group of people handling it constantly.

Now imagine making those maps for a living.

s The most anticipated roleplaying
release in many years, the new
D&tDgame required a consistent
look across the board, from the charts
that show how to attack to the sample
maps of dungeons and villages. Given
the incredible buzz about the product,
those maps needed to be detailed,
colorful, and striking. They needed to
provide a new visual foundation for
a game that's undergoing a major
reconstruction.
Enter Rob Lazzaretli and Todd
I Gamble. Along with Dennis Kauth, a
longtime veteran of mapmakirg for
DfrtD, these cartographers set out to
create the new look. Rob has worked for
Wizards of the Coast (and TSR) for
more than six years, designing maps for
such well-known lines as Plane scape and
Dark*Matter (in addition to dozens of
other projects both big and small), Todd
Gamble did all of the mapwork for the
Pokemon Jr. Adventure Game, and his
experience in building model railroads
the Coast two years ago gave him
an additional advantage when it came
to mapmaking.
The new D&tD maps aren't necessar¬
ily the traditional “how to get from here
to there" maps; combat diagrams and
myriad other charts that explain the
rules in a visual format also fall under
the purview of the cartographers* A
casual flip through the brand-new
Player’s Handbook turns up various
charts to illustrate the game. The
process by which these maps come to
be is simple yet challenging. The sketch is then carefully checked for inconsistencies
First, hand-drawn sketches come to or Illogical arrangements before the cartographer a start
any mapping.
the cartographers from the game
designers, who provide an outline of
how they'd like to see the final product
turn out* Depending on the level of
detail the designers are after, these
sketches might be accompanied by
descriptive text ro give the cartogra¬
phers a better sense of what the
designer envisions. This text often
The first round is drawn by a cartographer onto vellum
includes a list of various details on the based on the designer's original concept.

full-time prior to coming to Wizards of map and their dimensions. Some maps

Tricks of the Trade
According to Rob Uzzaretff* senior cartogra¬
pher at Wizards of the Coast. there's a simple
way to develop your maps that saves you an
amazing number of headaches in the long run:
Use overlay vellum sheers ro protect your
original maps.
It's not tracing paper.” Rob cautions, "bur
vellum. It lasts longer* If you use this to add new
locations to your maps, ifII keep you from ruin¬
ing your originals by drawing all over them”
Also, scan your originals: you can take them
to any professional copier if you don't have
your own scanner and have them put onto a
disk for you. Then you can manipulate the orig¬
inals on your computer without doing any irre¬
versible damage to them, or you can make
printouts to mark up or give to your players.
Finally, consider laminating your originals,
"We helped [President of Wizards of the Coast]
Peter Adkison with his campaign maps," Rob
says, "He had several binders full of laminated
maps, and he could take them out and lay them
together like files whenever he needed them. It
was amazing, and it worked very well”
54 annual2ooo:
are not as thoroughly outlined, of
course, and this gives the cartographers
some options as they close in on the
final product* (In the D&tD Adventure
Game, for example, a poster-sized map
of a dungeon and the counters that
accompany it offered the cartographers
a great deal of creative freedom.)
Some products require a "rougher
Feel*” so instead of being produced on a
computer from the earliest steps, their
creation begins as Ink drawings by the
cartographers* These drawings are then
scanned into a computer for more intri¬
cate manipulation, but they retain that
hand-drawn look that makes them seem
more "real.'1 All colors and terrain keys
are then added by the mapmakers; in
fact* the specific guidelines for those
keys have been around for years,
dating back to the early days of D&fD,
Additional keys for new terrain types
are generated by the cartographers*
Birthright, for example, required more
detailed keys than Greyhawk* so the
mapmakers needed to create numerous
new symbols to account for the addi¬
tions. These new symbols were added
to the catalog of existing keys for
future use.
The level of detail—that is, how realis¬
tic it ultimately needs to look-in any
given map dictates how difficult a map is
to produce* In some cases, a mapmaker
like Todd Gamble goes the extra mile to
add those details that bring the map to
life, “The original sketch for an inn might
not call for a chimney,5' he says, “but
you know there's got to be one there.
And putting a woodpile out back adds a
greater sense of realism to what you're
seeing. I really enjoy working on Jbig pic¬
ture' maps* but the detail work is also
fun and challenging.”
The accuracy of such additions is a
must, so both cartographers maintain a
collection of photos and magazine clip¬
pings to use as reference materials* The
Internet, of course* is yet another
Invaluable tool for verifying the logical
placement of these extras*
In D&tD game products, many of the
maps are quite detailed, including Todd's
most impressive work* a cross-section
that shows the various levels of a dun¬
geon. “Robs always pushing me to
excelI ” he says* "and with that motiva¬
tion* I actually progress faster as a car¬
tographer" Players might also recognize
the sample dungeon from the Dungeon
Masters Guide as one they've seen
before-that particular map was updated
from one that appeared in the original
DMG. Todd and Rob agree: This map
was the most difficult and detailed to
produce of all the D&tD maps so far.
Today
Rob Lazzaretti and Todd Gamble are
now getting ready to begin work on the
maps for the relaunch of the massive
Forgotten Realms campaign setting,
which calls for some incredibly detailed
mapping to bring it all ro life. They're
also preparing an exceptional amount of
work for the upcoming Return to the
Temp/e of Elemental Evil due out in mid-
2oot. “We've had a few meetings with
the designer about it” Rob says* "and it
looks like it’s going to be huge'.'
Compared to the fifteen or so maps in
the Players Handbook and Dungeon
Masters Guide combined* Rob anticipates
as many as thirty maps in Return to the
Temple of Elemental Evil. Of course,
there's still an astonishing amount of
new D&tD material to prepare*
What advice do the pros have for
DMs who will soon be making maps of
their own? For the amateur cartogra¬
pher, thinking ahead will save you a
great deal of grief when you begin to
draft your own maps. "Plan your world
from the ground up,” Rob suggests* "If
you're building a whole world, think
about how the continents are going to fir
on it* then narrow down to focus on the
area of your adventure. If you branch
out from I he city where you want your
adventure to begin, it can get really
messy. Think on a God-like scale.'1
Not surprisingly* both Rob and Todd
have art degrees, and both men agree
that understanding programs like
Photoshop and familiarity with
Macintoshes are vital if you want to
pursue cartography as a profession. The
ability to draw is invaluable* of course,
"You can always find shortcuts when
making your maps," Rob says, "but you
really have to understand basic design
to make any of this happen."
©
Drawing by hand is an essential skill! to develop even
though about of a cartographer's time is spent
working on the computer.
Every Dragon® Magazine - Issues 1 through 250 -
completely searchable on multiple compact discs
d«IMnu£ttf«l ijr’V'<Y,l W~*»l t*m&i ’fi':-". .*■ 'Wif,.. : ‘'l

^ ,v Li-: n
Visit our website at www.wizards.com
 The UMSPft9K9bie 0?f by John Kovaiic

VJS^& MMtt®
UHT

6
LESS, CEL E.RftTED
Elemewtma

ASK ARGO by Manny V(!?a W w W.man nyvega. co m/as kargo .hfm t

" tJV£W£flRU^
THIS OflE BEF-ORt.
SOMETH m* ABOUT
A PALADtH AND HtS
N SPECIALftOUtff-j

* HW. [T'S ^
THE ONE WHERE 1
THE PRIEST SAY&
aOtf, you MEANT MY.
l OH HANDS/* A

Are you eyeball in5 me!?!

56 annual 2ouo
 You understood the world once. But then a thousand
terrible things came from the sky and everything changed
You will fight them. You will defend your world.
Until you understand it once again.

Sleek and stream lined, the new Star Wars® role playing game
holds a universe of possibilities for fans of every era. Capture all
of the action and heroism of the classic trilogy and pave
the way for new adventures set in Episode I.

More depth. More skitts and feats.

More Force powers. More Star Wars.

Ulfcasjilni Lid. A If hi. All rjgfite ru$grv$d. listed under

WIZARDS OF THE MAST is a l irademork of Wizards of r; ==: Coosi, In*.
The Kingdom of Cormyr Today
by £d Greenwood • illustrated by Rob Hinds

It would Take three Annuals to examine the events recounted in the

novel Death of the Dragon, and another to summarize the ranks,
strength, and behind-the-scenes power struggles currently
unfolding within the Purple Dragons of Cormyr, so here’s an
admittedly fragmentary overview of the situation at court in
Cormyr right after the events of the novel.

T he armies of Cormyr have been

decimated, along with much of the
fighting nobility. Ore and goblin
bands hold Arabef and roam its vicinity,
burning and blighting crops across the
realm. Granaries in Suzail and the naval
base in Marsember survived, so star¬
vation doesn’t quite threaten the reaim.
But shortages have already driven
provender prices up sharply and made
(in the words of Royaf Sage
Alaphondar) “a dent one can certainly
notice in the royal treasury”
King Azoun IV and his heir, Ihe
Crown Princess Tanalasta, perished in
Ihe fighting, as did Gwennalh, Lady-
Lord High Marshal of Cormyr, and
many others of note,
Tanalasta s infant son, Azoun V, is
king, but the realm is ruled by the Steel
Regent, Princess Alusair Nacacia
Obarskyr. Much of the real power is
held by the Dowager Dragon Queen,
Azoun’s widow, Frlfaeril, and the Royal
Magician Vangerdahast.
The Obarskyr rule in Cormyr
remains secure largely because the War
Wizards are alertly and vigilantly pre¬
pared to back it. A si rang rebel faction
of War Wizards or a Royal Magician
opposed to the Crown would mean dis¬
aster for the Forest Kingdom, Even
nobles who grumble at every royal
edict and change of clothing acknowl¬
edge: “Well, at leas I we have
Vangerdahast, gods strike him!”
THE ROYAL REMAINS
In keeping with ancient Cormyrian tra¬
dition (actually at the command of
Vangerdahast, who judged it good for
Cormyr’s morale), The spell-preserved
remains of King Azoun and Crown
Princess Tanalasta were paraded
through SuzaiL The tour took a wide
circuit around the city lhat ended at
the Palace.
War Wizard magic was ready to
ward off anything hurled at the proces¬
sion. Other spells levitated the open
coffins so their weight could be easily
borne by scarred veieran soldiers, the
most beautiful ladies among the War
Wizards, and the oldest, most loyal
nobles who'd fought alongside the King.
Vangerdahast also shamelessly used
magic to make the corpses smile, testily
calling it “the last thanks they can give
their people” when Alusair objected.
The Steel Regent and the Dowager
Queen walked at Ihe head of the pro¬
cession; Alusair insisted on wearing her
armor, still bloodstained, dirt-caked, and
sword-scarred from the battlefield, and
bearing her drawn sword.
A visiting Sembian merchant,
Harondro of Yhaunn, who watched the
procession discreetly from an upper
window along the Promenade, said it
was hard to tell who wept harder: the
citizens or the royal women. There
were no drums or horns; save for the
crying and the sounds of people's boots
on the cobbles, it all happened In eerie
silence,
Harondo also said that for the first
time In his life, he was terrified of the

58 annual 2ooo
commoners of Suzail; as the proces¬
sion approached, without any coaching
or command, they all knelt or saluted,
according to their rank, and pressed
forward to touch someone in the pro-
cession. They thereafter fell silent and
followed the funeral train. By the time
the funeral procession reached the
Palace, it seemed that "almost the
entire city" was walking behind old
Bastable Galarth, oldest of the Purple
Dragons to survive the Dragonfall
Battle, He walked alone behind the
coffins in his own battered armor, car¬
rying the riven shield of his dead King
in his gnarled hands.
When the royal remains vanished into
the Palace, the citizens turned to talk,
reminisce, and pray at impromptu altars
set up by priests of every faith and
stripe save the most evil. Thereafter,
they roamed the city from tavern to
tavern, raging in their grief and looking
ready to tear apart any foe of
Cormyr-or anyone they saw as such-
wilh their bare hands.
Harondro saw a shipmaster from
Westgate, who made the mistake of
laughing at a jest, vanish under the
furious fists and clawing hands of fat
Cormyrian goodwives, who screamed
the names of dead sons, husbands, and
relatives as they struck. Above all rose
constant keening of "For Azouni” and
“The Purple Dragon!”
Cloaked in protective magics, Azoun
and Tanalasta were interred in the
Royat Crypt, deep beneath the Palace
of the Purple Dragon. His Majesty was
laid lo rest in his armor, clasping his
YAHGERDAHAST USED MAGIC
TO MAKE THE CORPSES SMILE.
CALL1HG IT “THE LAST THANKS
THEY CAR GIVE THEIR PEOPLE.”
sword on his breast and wearing the
recently-fashioned Lion Crown, a
rugged circlet made to be worn over
his battle-helm. The Crown Princess
sleeps forever beside him in gray
mage-robes, clasping the workbooks
she kept as she learned magic. Both
lie in separate closed coffins among
magical defenses that Vangerdahast
describes only as “offering more than
one deadly surprise to anyone who
ventures too near without knowing
just how to do so.” (Knowledge of the
proper approach is said to be shared
by the Royal Magician, Lady Laspeera
of the War Wizards, Royal Sage
Alapahondar, the Steel Regent, the
Dowager Queen, and at least two
others: one within the realm and one
without.)
No memorial was raised at the site of
either royal passing, for as Filfaerii said,
“I do not want to look at where my
Azoun died and see a stone"
Courtiers agree that the real reason
no memorial stones were placed was to
prevent them becoming rallying-places
for foes of the Crown. However, in a
rumor widely suspected to be true, the
Royal Magician is said to have snarled,
“Aye, let stones be raised and let them
gather: I can blast them to ashes in
groups and waste fewer spells on such
scum, saving my power for rebuilding
the realm ”
After the tolling of bells marked the
burial, trumpeters sounded fanfares in
the dusk and the reign of Azoun V was
proclaimed, with mention of the
Regency and the blessings of the
Dowager Queen. The infant king was
not shown to the people until the Royal
Anointing and promenade three days
later, wherein the nobles of the realm
swore fealty to the Regent and then
paraded their war strength before the
surviving royals and the citizenry of
SuzaiL
Azoun Rhigaerd Palaghard Duar
Obarskyr, Dragon Prince of Cormyr,
Right Royal Duke of Suzail, and King
Ascendant of the Dragon Throne,
Stagmaster of the Realm and Lord
Admiral of the Western Fallen Star
Waves, is a vocal, chubby-cheeked babe
with dark hair; piercing, gold-flecked
brown eyes; and an already strong-
looking forehead, nose, and jaw. In the
words of one of his wetnurses, Alatha
of Brokenturrets, “Aye, he'll be charm¬
ing the ladies at an even greener age
than his sire.”
Not counting the War Wizards spying
from afar, and equipped with telepori
rings that battle-mages can use to be at
the royal side in a breath or iwo, Azoun
V is at all times surrounded by three
wetnurses and two physics. There are
in fact three shifts of such persons-all
human females rumored to be War
Wizards, Harpers, or both.
These Attendants of the Royal Person
are always augmented by a Royal
Guard (known as "the Brafs Body¬
guard,” in the barracks), of 4 War
Wizards, 4 warriors, and 2 pages to run
errands and deliver messages.
59
0

C7he Cormyte Regency
* Otoe Rjegevifr speaks and acts as a ruling monarch* with ait
mult, Hides, and courtesies, hut cannot exile, Imprison,
endanger, or end the life of any Obarskyr or throne heir,
nor commit such ngals to marriage or the judgments of
/ore^n powers, nor accept their abdication or renunciation
of crown or birth rights,
* & Regent cannot bind Cormyr or its troops, monies, or
territory in any disposition, arrangement, or pact with for-
eign powers intended or tgreed-upon to outlast the Regency.
* Regent can execute any being- only for treason or mur¬
der, and then only with the avowed public agreement of at
least three senior peers of the realm not related by blood or
marriage to the Regent or to each other. One of the peers
must be a serving Purple Dngon officer or nVar ("Wizard
not related by blood or marriage to the Regent or Hie other
supporters,
* Should the Regent predecease the Xing' Ascendant, amttoer
regent shall be appointed by the Dowcger Q&een, or grtnvfol-
taw (Jailing' her survival? by the Royal £toa^cian, or grim-
follow by the Royal Saj^ or grtm/ollow by the head of the
oVar rWi^ards at that time, unless Slzoun V has reached
his /ourteenirh year and is judged both fit and ready to
rule by all of the surviving members of Hie list of appoint-
ers just given- If Vangerdahast still lives, the head of the
rWur Hoards is considered a separate office for this Judy*
ment only* and their second-tn-command (currently, the
sorceress Caspeera) receives a vote in this judgment.
60 annual 2 oo<
The boy King’s father is said to be, in
the words of the relevant royal procla¬
mation: “Rowen Cormaeril, nobly born, a
young man and true, who came to the
gods-blessed union fully pardoned by the
King—and who gave himself in the strife
so that Cor my r could rise again.”
Nothing more is said or confirmed
about Rowen’s fate or standing, and
those who ask questions about such
matters too loudly have received
unwelcome visits from bands of War
Wizards guarded by grim Purple
Dragons who’ve warned citizens openly
that they’re just waiting for an excuse
to sink their swords to the hilts in any
traitor to the realm.
It’s somehow become an open secret
around the Dragon Court that the Royal
Magician has taken blood and tissue
samples of Azoun V, Alusair, and
Filfaeril for use in cloning or other
magics. He’s said to have hidden sets
of them in several places, none of
which is the vault treasonously vandal¬
ized during “the Bleth Affair.” Visitors
are warned that this is considered a
Crown secret. The penalty for speculat¬
ing or discussing it—if overheard by or
reported to the authorities-is imprison¬
ment and unpleasant magical interroga-
tion by War Wizards, followed by
execution if treason of intent or action
is discovered.
Ofie Dragon Court
Alusair Nacacia Obarskyr rules in
Suzail, though the Dragon Throne itself
sits pointedly empty; she uses a lower
chair but more often strides around the
dais in front of the royal seat.
In the words of Vangerdahast:
"Daughter must obey mother, but so
long as that’s done, Princess Alusair
can be king in all but name until Azoun
comes of age—which he shall do upon
the seventeenth anniversary of his
birth. If he is deemed in any way unfit
to rule, the regency will continue, this
decision being made only after agree¬
ment by a majority public vote of six
senior War Wizards (nobles who are
heads of houses that can trace their
ennobled lineage back more than seven
hundred years), the Royal Sage, and
any other surviving Obarksyrs .”
The rules governing this Regency
were crafted by Vangerdahast in light
of the actions of Salember the Rebel,
who refused to surrender the realm to
the rightful Obarskyr, Rhigaerd, and En
brief are described to the left.
In truth, much of the day-to-day
governance of Cornyrian affairs is, as
always, in Vangerdahast’s hands.
However, recent events have so
PURPLE DRAGONS WARN CITIZENS
OPENLY TRAT THEY’RE JUST WAITING
f OR AN EXCUSE TO SINK THEIR
SWORDS TO THE HILTS IN ARY
TRAITOR TO THE REALM.
shaken the usual order of things at the
Dragon Court that the individual deeds
and decisions of the three most power¬
ful Cormyrians will most shape the
realm in the years ahead.
THE ROYAL MAGICIAN AND
COURT WIZARD OF CORMYR
Vangerdahast
(male human, WiztS, LN)
(1224 DR- )
Vangerdahast can call on a vast array
of magic items, including many battle-
ready rings and wands, and he won't
hesitate to do so.
Rightly called by many (though it’s
not wise to say so openly at Court)
“the true ruler of Cormyr ” this long-
lived, stout, plain-spoken, and often
testy mage tutored Azoun and his chil¬
dren, and he remains the Crown's most
trusted advisor. He often wears a plain,
heavy brown robe, bound about the
waisl with a tasseled rope of pale
mauve. A gruff man who has little
patience for courtly fripperies, he
adheres firmly to court etiquette save
in emergencies.
Vangerdahast is known to have
trained briefly, and long ago, under the
archmage Elminster, and, he now main¬
tains a running, if friendly, feud with
the Old Mage. The reasons for this, and
other details of Vangey’s life and magi-
cal training, are subjects the Royal
Magician does not discuss. Nor should
he ever be addressed as “Vangey" by
persons desiring to comfortably abide
in Cormyr thereafter.
When not at Filfaerifs side,
Vangerdahast is often giving orders to
the senior War Wizards. He's proud of
the loyal brotherhood of mages he
leads, considers them essential to the
survival and good governance of
Cormyr, and he is determined never to
let them grow over-proud, corrupt, or
treacherous toward the crown.
Recent rumors of his own hunger to
rule and possible treason are just that:
rumors. The most probing gossips and
enemies looking for scandals to trumpet
have been unable to learn anything of
possible consorts or a private life out¬
side of court, though court legend
whispers of a hut in the forest from
which Vangerdahast came, and to
which, some day-none too soon for the
liking of many-he’ll return.
Vangerdahast Is paunchy and jowly
and has a close-trimmed beard and
well-kept hair of white, formerly red¬
dish-brown hue. His eyes are dark
brown and kindle almost to red when
he’s enraged. Otherwise, his manner is
kindly but stern, and during court cere¬
monies he can be solemn, dignified, and
impressive.
The people of Cormyr respect him as
a good and loyal man, though his wiz-
ardly powers awe them; outside Suzail,
his entrance into an inn or shop typi¬
cally causes a hush.
Since the death of his longtime friend
Azoun IV, Vangerdahast has aged visi¬
bly. His hands often tremble now, he
walks more slowly, and he’s seen in
public less often. Interestingly, no less a
personage than Lord Giogi Wyvernspur
recently witnessed Vangerdahast
watching a lone, cowled figure-a
human woman, by her shape-cast
spells in the depths of the King’s Forest
before both of them disappeared
"within a shimmering."
THE DOWAGER
DRAGON QUEEN
Queen Filfaeril Sefazair Obarskyr
(female human, Ftr3, NG)
(Mirtul 4, 1311 DR- )
The Dragon Queen is a brilliant, insight¬
ful woman (and master chess player)
who holds clearer foresight of future
events and intrigues yet hatching than
anyone En the Forest Kingdom save
Vangerdahast. Her fragile, delicate
beauty conceals stubborn bravery and
a mind that notices everything. She has
little interest in warfare and in doings
outside Cormyr, and spends most of her
time sizing up folk who come to court,
learning of their doings and moods so
as to be of help to the regent in her
judgements. She’s never really over¬
come the death of her first child, Foril
(a son born Mirtul 1,1332, who died on
Uktar n, 1334 at the hands of an assas¬
sin); those who wish to anger or wound
her need only recall Foril to her.
Although Filfaerifs not physically
strong, she's very quick and deft.
Since Forifs death, she's taken private
weapons-training with dagger, spear,
and shortsword. Though she's rarely
faced would-be assassins, she’s sur¬
prised (and wounded) several unsuc¬
cessful kidnappers.
Since the deaths of Azoun and
Tanalasta, the Queen has become
colder and harder; it’s clear she misses
Azoun’s embrace as well as his friend¬
ship. She’s taken no lovers from among
the many elder nobles who've dis¬
creetly offered her their embraces,
though she’s been much seen in the
company of the Royal Sage of late, and
gossips never tire of reminding
Cormyrian society that the two of them
went into hiding somewhere together
during the Bleth Affair.
Filfaeril has ice-blue eyes, blonde
hair, a slender figure, and alabaster-
white skin; she retains a poise and
dignity that makes up for the slow
fade of her once-stunning beauty. She
and Azoun were far more equal part¬
ners than most ruling couples of
Faerun, and her influence helped make
the court a civilized, cultural place, (In
earlier times, it was all too apt to be a
succession of drunken revels and
duels between feuding nobles.)
THE KNIGHTS ROYAL
Outside the Palace, Filfaeril travels at
a[[ times with a loyal personal body¬
guard of six tall, armed, and capable
highknights (each a LG human male
Ftrg/HighKnightg) who bear the titles
New Prestige Class;
Purple Dragon Highknight
A highknight of Cormyr is a recently
created rank of service to the Crown.
Trained in Court etiquette and realm
law as well as in the use of weapons,
highknights are regularly mind-read by
War Wizards to guarantee their contin¬
ued loyalty, as well as to guard against
magical influences or impostors posing
as real knights. Highknights usually
draw difficult duties, such as investi¬
gating suspected traitors among the
ranks of superior Purple Dragon offi¬
cers or the nobility, or guarding roy¬
alty or unpopular visiting envoys.
In Cormyr, highknights speak with
royal authority, and they can always
gain audience to any royal or Court
personage (though they’ll face penal-
lies for frivolous use of this privilege).
Most highknights are fighters, but
Filfaeril and Vangerdahast (joint cre¬
ators of this rank) desire the office to
be open to bards, rangers, and other
persons difficult to fit into the normal
Court hierarchy. Rowen Cormaeril, for
example, has been accorded the rank of
highknight, as has his brother Beliard,
bladebrother to Alusair and bastard son
of Azoun IV. Both would otherwise
share exile with the rest of their family.
Highknights can be encountered any¬
where in the Dragonreach and Dragon
Coast, but they are most likely to be
found in Cormyr proper._
To qualify to become a highknight, a
character must fulfill all of the follow
ing criteria:
Alignment: Any good
Race: Any
Base Attack Bonus: +8
Feats: Dodge, Endurance, Great
Fortitude
The highknrghfs class skills (and the key
ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex),
Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha),
Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Sense
Motive (Wis), and Spot (Wis). Skill
Points at Each Level: 2 4- Int modifier.
62 annual2ooo
of Knights Royal of Cormyr. These They wear small, e verb right-treated
men (formerly the Kings' Blades, the silver pendants at their throats, each
personal guards of Azoun IV) are shaped like an upright, right-handed
Jostlyn Huntsilver, Asbras Orthwood, gauntlet, with the Purple Dragon inset
Baeryn Dauntinghorn, Albryn in its open palm. These are passkeys
Emmarask, Ondyn Thundersword, and only slightly lesser In rank than the
llbreth Truesilver. fabled Purple Dragon rings. At all times,
Class Features per day (gases included); if the result
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The of the first save is unfavorable, a sec¬
highknight is proficient with all simple ond roll can be attempted. At ioth
and martial weapons, all types of level, immunity to secondary damage
armor, and shields. Note that armor becomes automatic. This is a supernat¬
check penalties for armor heavier than ural ability.
leather apply to the skills Balance, Magic Resistance: At 3rd level, by
Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump, Move exposure to spells {working with a War
Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble. Wizard), the highknight gains resist¬
Dauntless Guard: Beginning at 1st ance to a single chosen magical attack
level, when a highknight guards a form, such as cold, electricity, fire, or
known or familiar area in accordance acid. During each round of damage
with orders, such as a single room, from that sort of magic, subtract 1
doorway, or passage, he gains the fol¬ point from each die of damage suf¬
lowing abilities while fighting in that fered by the highknight. This immunity
area: improves to 2 points per die at 6th
* ■+£ Strength level and 3 points per die at gth level.
* +2 Constitution This is a supernatural ability*
* +2 resistance bonus on all saves Natural Armor: The highknighfs nat¬
* +4 dodge bonus to AC ural armor rating improves by +1 at
The increase in Constitution raises 4th level, and an additional +1 at 8th
the highknight’s hit points by 1 point level. This is an extraordinary ability.
per level, but these hit points go away Uncanny Dodge: At 2nd level, the
the moment the highknight moves highknight does not lose his Dexterity
away from the area or ceases fighting bonus to AC from being flat-footed. At
or defying possible foes. This is an 7th level, opponents do not gain any
extraordinary ability. attack bonuses for flanking the high¬
Poison Resistance: At 5th level, a knight.
highknight gains a second chance on
Fortitude saves vs. any poison once
Fort. Ref. Will
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special
t +t +2 +0 4*0 Dauntless guard
2 4-2 +3 4-o 4-0 Uncanny dodge
(Dex bonus to AC)
3 +3 +3 +t +1 Magic resistance 1
4 +4 4-4 +t Natural armor +1
5 +5 +4 +t +1 Poison resistance
6 +6 +5 4-2 4-2 Magic resistance 2
7 +7 +5 +2 +2 Uncanny dodge (can't be
flanked)
8 +8 +6 4-2 -t-2 Natural armor 4-2
9 +9 +6 +3 +3 Magic resistance 3
10 +10 4-7 +3 +3 Poison resistance (immu¬
nity to secondary damage)
Levd: Thfi level of the highknight.
Attack Bonus: The highknighfs attack bonus, added to the character's normal attack bonus.
Fort. Save: The save bonus on Fortitude saving throws, added to the character's normal save bonus.
Ref. Save: The save bonus on Reflex saving throws, added to the character’s normal save bonus.
Will Save: The save bonus on Will saving throws, added to the character's normal save bonus.
Special: Level-dependent class features.
 Vw nobles wunb bo admit" itr+ 621lusair is now Hie best battle master in the realm.
they permit passage inlo any part of
any royal fortress, as well as access to
any member of the royal family or any
court or military official, up to and
including Vangerdahast himself. Unlike
the Purple Dragon rings, they don’t
compel enforced obedience from such
officials, though such a person would
be wise to treat the bearer of such a
pendant as a superior officer.
Each Knight Royal has three full
knights squired to him as understudies,
and from the ranks of these “rising
knights,” impromptu bodyguards can
quickly be assembled for all Obarskyrs
and court officers desiring or needing
protection at any time.
THE STEEL REGENT
Princess Alusair Nacacia Obarskyr
(female human, Ftrao, CG)
(Eleint gr 1335 DR- )
A rebellious tomboy in youth, the hot-
tempered, impulsive youngest child of
Azoun and Filfaeril rose to prominence in
The realm (and won a place in the hearts
of the common Folk) for her valiant fight¬
ing against the Tuigan hordes.
Her contrary nature when dealing
with her Father and resulting extended
absences from the realm stem from
the impatience she inherited from
Azoun-save that she got thrice what
he ever had.
Accomplished in battle, strategy, hard
living, and the mastery of horses,
Alusair has spent most of her life fight¬
ing and riding the Stonelands with
noble sons and heirs of the realm who
admiringly dubbed her “the Steel
Princess” for her battle-prowess and
spirit. Though few nobles want to admit
it, Alusair is now the best battlemaster
(general) in the realm-though better in
raids and skirmishes than in matters of
diplomacy and pomp.
As Alusair grew older, shattering a lot
of her youthful ideals on the hard
swordpoints of reality, she became
much closer to her father. She still lacks
patience for the endless revels, gossip,
and meaningless Court ceremonies.
Alusair has ash-blonde hair but black
eyebrows. Although she stands as tall as
any knight In her mlthril plate armor,
she strikes the eye as slimmer and
more agile than most warriors wearing
the Purple Dragon. The armor, a gift of
the dwarves, earned her the nickname
“the Mithril Princess," a term largely
ignored these days in the shadow of
the more popular “Steel Princess”
appellation.
Her eyes are oak-brown, and at their
corners, her face is just beginning to
acquire its first wrinkles.
Alusair was reconciled with Azoun
when they fought the Tuigan horde, and
she subsequently rode on patrol with
Purple Dragons stationed throughout
Cormyr, trying to learn all she could of
the kingdom so she could serve it ably
as a battlemaster.
Now that her Regency has come,
Alusair has discovered she hates Court
life and diplomacy every bit as much as
she feared she would. Her anger at her
role makes her precise, clear, and cold
in her diplomatic dealings, but the wise
advice of Vangey and Filfaeril, coupled
with her own battlefield experience,
means that she misses few nuances and
usually does the right thing.
 Her primary aim now is to rebuild
the morale and military strength of the
realm by reclaiming all Cormynan terri¬
tory and getting folk back onto their
land* She must do this without letting
investors from Semhia and Westgate
get too firm a hold in Cormyr, and she
OBARSKYR RULE CONTINUES
BECAUSE THE WAR WIZARDS
VIGILANTLY SUPPORT IT.
rebuffs alt attempts to control and
influence Cormyrian affairs.
So long as she can pour her rage out
in occasional sword-bouts or private
wrestling sessions with "the Blades”
(the young nobles she's ridden to war
with and trusts implicitly), Alusair will
be a good and increasingly contented
Regent, Helming a kingdom is a task
she’s good at, and the death of her
father-a fate he foresaw and
embraced, as she sees if, because he
would not flee his duty-has given her
determination not to ruin the realm for
the nexl Azoun. She is also determined
to avoid being goaded by dever-
tongued envoys into doing things that
aren’t in Cormyr’s best interests.
Loyal and CTrm
Though it’s blunt truth that the
Obarskyr rule continues because the
War Wizards alerlly and vigilantly sup¬
port it, the fact that the bulk of the
populace is highly loyal, and there are
specific people the Crown can call upon
and trust is also crucial to the stability
of the Dragon Throne. Some key
friends of the Crown to watch (all of
whomT by the way, know of one or
more secret ways into the Palace
and/or the Court) include:
Cat and Giogi Wyvernspur
(human female, Ari6, CG;
human male, Ariy, CG)
This noble couple prefers to avoid
political prominence. They are unpop¬
ular In many circles because Azoun IV
64 annual 2oo<
awarded them the Cormaeril lands,
but they’re useful in ferreting out
conspiracies, shifting loyalties, and
hidden schemes by means of Giogfs
buffoonery at feasts and revels, and
Cat’s careful observations of the
reactions to Giogi.
Glarasteer Rhauligan
(human male, Ftrg, CG)
An irreverent and independent-minded
Harper and sometime lover of Alusair,
this traveling merchant often visits
Sembian clients. He is trusted by the
Steel Regent to truthfully and percep¬
tively let her know who’s doing what in
Cormyr and Sembia, as well as chang¬
ing moods and conditions in the
Dragonreach In general. He's possessed
of iron calm when necessary, with hair
that's starting to gray and wrists as
strong as steel. He usually faces danger
with merriment, (See Cormyr: A Novel
and “The Grinning Ghost of Taverton
Hall” in Realms of Mystery*)
Emthrara Amberdown
(human female, Ftry/Rog6, CG)
A tavern dancer and courtesan of
Suzall known intimately to many at
Court, this spirited, quick-witted, and
good-natured Harper agent often works
with Rhauligan, has saved royal lives on
diverse occasions, and is known for her
skill with a thrown dagger.
Alaphondar Emmarask
(human male, Arig, NG)
Sage Most Learned of the Royal Couri
Alaphondar fs an expert on the history,
genealogy, and laws of Cormyr,
Sembia, and the Dragon Coast. He is a
diplomatic, farsighted, self-effacing man
who’s become Filfaerifs lover and con¬
fidant (though it’s dangerous So speak
of such matters publicly).
Myrmeen Lhal
(human female, Rgng, CG)
Myrmeen is the righteous Lady of
Arabel and a fearless battle-leader
who’s itching to reclaim that city.
Gravely injured an the fighting, she's
become a firm friend of Alusair, often
serving as the Regent's sword in places
Alusair can’t spare the time to visit.
(See page 28 of Cloak &t Dagger)
Laspeera Naerinth
(human female, Wizi6, NG)
Laspeera was made Lady Eveningsplre
two summers ago by Azoun IV (who
awarded her the Eveningspire estate
from Crown lands near the eastern
end of Hullack Forest). Second-in-
command of the War Wizards and
proprietress of the House of Grace
school for young ladies in SuzaiL
Laspeera is a diplomatic, careful, beau¬
tiful woman of great wisdom and dis¬
cretion, legendary for her patience,
perceptiveness, and the iron wifi
beneath her gentleness.
Privately, Laspeera welcomes the rule
of women, but she sees her own task as
"taming Alusair, with spells used like
whips, if need be, to make her the
leader Cormyr needs,”
Lord Dauneth Marliir
(human male, Ftrn, LG)
Thomdor’s successor as Lord High
Warden of the Eastern Marches, this
honorable noble is known to have been
the King's favorite intended husband
for Tanalasta, though those close to the
royal family say she liked but never
loved him.
The youngest son of the Maritir
family, he participated in the Redlance
Rising, later supported Salember finan¬
cially, and then tried to evade tax
payments fo King Rhigaerd IL Dauneth
was treated somewhat coldly when he
presented himself at Court because of
his lineage, but he acquitted himself
with loyalty and discretion.
Though many envy his swift eleva¬
tion, his courteous manners and discre¬
tion have impressed* As one of she
wealthiest nobles at court, he can't be
snubbed-quite-and with his loyalty,
unfailing politeness, and swift grasp of
situations, he's of ever-growing impor¬
tance to the Crown.
Dauneih stands a very slim 6 feet tail
but seems awkward—all gawky, bony
knees-and-elbows. He has level gray
eyes and sandy brown hair.
Accomplished with longsword and
dagger, he's taken extensive weapons¬
training since being named Warden-
and he still likes to try wielding
“trollswords' (huge to-foot-long wavy-
biaded swords) that he can barely lift*

cjhe KFair Grower
Of liability
It would Take a book Thicker than the
city walls of Suzail to detail the line¬
ages, holdings, doings, and alms of the
living Cormyrian nobles. As they tend
to be wealthy, strong-willed, and self-
indulgent, noble families of Cormyr
embrace a very wide range of hobbies,
vocations, political views, and opinions
on just about everything. Barring a few
specific grievances, it's almost impossi¬
ble to truthfully say ‘"The Orthwoods
feel that ..." because Auldo Orthwood,
Danither Orthwood, and their mother
Malassra Orthwood probably bitterly
disagree on all sorts of things, from the
color of bathchamber hangings in
Orthwood Half to obedience towards
the current Regent.
So here's a very brief summary of
individual nobles the Crown Is taking
special notice of.
/yV /v,
- ) 'XV
f\ /W\A - ’ 7 /YX\-
DISCONTENTED EXILES
Arphoind Bleth
(human male, Ftrg, LE)
The leader of the Bleths, Arphoind is
known to be plotting against the Crown
from Westgate* Grasping, scheming,
and sneeringly sophisticated, he’s also
aging and growing indolent.
Increasingly interested in Westgate,
once he gets coin enough to compen¬
sate for the seized Bleth lands,
Arphoind might completely lose interest
in Cormyr.
Kargerth Cormaeril
(human male, Rog7, N)
The head of the other recently exiled
house, Kargerth is thought to be
sponsoring a new rash of smuggling
through Marsember* The Cormaerlfs
might hold grudges, but they’re too
sensible and too deeply loyal to
openly strike against the Crown. Their
hand is more likely to he raised in an
attempt to cause “accidents" to befall
individual Obarskyrs until the Dragon
Throne passes into new, possibly
more friendly hands.
Otie Storm atoms
PROBABLE REBELS
Tystam Dauntinghorn
(human male, Fty, CG)
Tystarn is a dashingly handsome young
traveling-trader for Dauntinghorn
interests whose jaunts have aroused
War Wizard suspicions. (See page 57
of C/oak Dt Dagger.)
Raves Calantar
(human male, Ftrg, CN)
Ravos is a dedicated stag-hunter and
chaser-of-brigands who is bored with
life and looking to do great things. He’s
now consumed with hatred for the
Obarskyrs due to their execution of his
aunt, the matriarch of his house (during
Death of the Dragon).
Storn Tathcrown
(human male, Fty, NE)
The dark and brazenly handsome
youngest son of a recently ennobled
family, Storn hungers for money and
power. He is known for his agility and
cleverness and is said to possess an
iron self-control.
He fought alongside the Obarskyrs in
the defense of Arabel but made sure to
avoid dying in the Dragonfall Battle by
posing as an envoy between Giogt
7fm\A
GFbrest -
‘-vi'Spfi!
—■ '<tfRu*ider —‘
Pnates
Wyvernspur on Jester's Green and the
main army under the King.
Storn sees raking the throne as his
best way to wealth, and the clearest
path to achieve that is to marry Alusair
and then dispose of the other
Obarskyrs in an "accident" He’s wary
of the War Wizards' mind-scrying-with
good reason, for they've already
reported his treasonous thoughts to
Laspeera and Vangerdahast. So far,
he's done nothing, but arranging a trap
for him is something on the War
Wizards' "to do" list.
CLEAVING TO SEMB1A
Emlar Gold sword
(human mate, Frrzf/Rog^ CN)
Emtar is a greedy mercenary who hates
and fears the Obarskyrs (he came
within an inch of being executed in
Death of the Dragon), and he would
prefer a Cormyr ruled by a merchant
council. He was judged a possible spon¬
sor of rebets by the Crown but is both
loo cowardly and too wise to actively
rebel,
Belmer Huntcrown
(human male, Fn^/Rogg, NE)
A load-faced, fat middling son of a
many-branched family, this quietly
ambitious collector-of-wines is shoui-
der^deep in Sembian intrigues and quiet
investment cabals. He specializes in
forging business alliances between timid
merchants who recoil from trading
companies and costers, and using their
pooled funds to speculate on goods
shortages and buy properties.
Thus far Sembian city holdings
(having by far the greatest value
among available properties In the ter¬
ritory he’s Familiar with) have been
Belmer's chief interest, but he's
increasingly looking at Marsember and
the coastal lands east of it, and think¬
ing of how much coin could be made if
he quietly founded his own port...
Talados Thundersword
(human male, Ftry, CN)
A brawling, hunt-loving young giant
with a love of swordplay, plentiful
wine, and even more plentiful women,
Talados was gifted some Sembian
investments by a dying uncle some
years ago and has become very rich.
He sees Suzail as ripe for buying,
warehouse by shop by house, so that
66 annual2ooo
he can make his mark and earn
respect back in Saerloon and
Selgaunt. If the stiff-necked Obarskyrs
would just allow themselves to be
bought, they and their countryfolk
could live in luxury in an ever-grow¬
ing realm that would soon swallow the
rest of the Dragon Coast.
UNSCRUPULOUS
Those nobles who care nothing for
laws, allegiances, or appearances—save
as such things affect their luxuries,
profits, and lifestyles—this group has
many members, but its most energetic
proponents include:
Fraeyer lllance
(human male, Ftr6, NE)
Fraeyer is a tall, thin, darkly handsome
and soft-spoken cold heart. He's one of
the younger and better-traveled of
this traditionally “difficult" family and
is now the most energetic in promot¬
ing his family's interests, which follow
the motto: “Freedom from all laws, and
a spur to all profits, daggers for our
foes, and a pox on all lawmakers and
keepers.”
Melot Silversword
(human male, Ftr4, CN)
The suave, aging, still-handsome head
of the Silverswords is a self-serving,
greedy man who deeply enjoys the
pleasures of life despite the costs to
those around him who might suffer
from his appetites.
lahadinol Longbrooke
(human male, Ftr8, LN)
Lahadinol is a bluff, burly, bearded man
who cares only for appearances-he
should always look heroic, the
Obarskyrs should keep the kingdom
strong and prosperous so it can serve
him best as a playground, and so on. A
coward at heart, Longbrooke always
seeks lo do and say the right rhing-but
when the goblin hordes come, he'll be
one of the first to break and run,
despite his splendid armor.
Dardreth MaHiir
(human male, Ffr6/Rog6, CE)
A cold and calculating older son of
the Marliirs, Dardreth regards his
brother Dauneth as a servile idiot
Dardreth seeks to win true Of secret)
rule of Arabel and endless riches
thereby-just as soon as the
Obarskyrs go to the trouble of win¬
ning the city back for him. Dardreth
cares not who sits on the Dragon
Throne or talks first at councils, so
long as he can get both hands on the
royal treasury whenever he desires.
DUNDERHEADS
The great bulk of nobles, like the com¬
moners beneath them, are what
Alaphondar is wont to call the “loyal,
muddling dunderheads."
Of these, those showing some energy
and ambition of late include:
Estetner Ebonhawk
(human male, Ftr5, NG)
Estelner is the young, nervous Baron of
newly-created Warmshores (the hilly
coastal country west of Suzail where
the western edge of Cormyr meets the
Dragonmere). Warned often by royal
agents to guard his crops well because
the realm needs them (that need will
make his fortune), Estelner is eager to
show well in royal eyes and become
someone important.
Forigar Silverhorn
(human male, Ffr6, LG)
Forigar is the Earl of Starwater, a
recently-founded territory consisting
of the eastern bank of the Starwater
across from Marsember. Forigar is an
old veteran Purple Dragon known for
his girth, stubbornness, and slow wits.
He was made an earl both as a
reward and to catch smugglers who,
during the fighting made unchecked
use of his lands.
Lord Brestim Talcontin
(human male, Ftrg, LG)
An aging "dapper dandy," Brestim
returned rich from life In Amn to
wrench his way through Suzail's “high
society.” There he's fast becoming
known for amusingly thick-headed
utterances and deeds—and a monade
that's constantly flying off.
UP-AND-COMERS
The ambitious or recently fortunate,
these are the ones to watch. They are
tackling life with some energy and will
inevitably make things happen as they
spectacularly succeed or fail, notably:
Brester Orthwood
(human male, Ftr3, NG)
The mGSl restless and competent son of
this recently-ennobled house, Brester is
a man who gallops wildly into the thick
of whatever is his latest enthusiasm.
His fancies don't last long, but he man¬
aged to becoming enthused with fight¬
ing at just the right time for Cormyr
and was noticed doing so; Crown
agents are watching him to see if he ll
make something of himself—or fall
under ihe influence of evil folk or foes
of the Crown.
Darvaer Huntinghorn
(human male, Ftrg, CG)
A master huntsman and sometime spon¬
sor of adventuring bands to make forays
into the Stonelands, this young noble is
smart, self-effacing, courteous, and
doing exactly what the Crown hopes alt
nobles will do. He's a bit too good to be
INCREASED TRADE IS WELCOMED.
BUT AN INCREASED SEMBIAN OR
WESTKAV1AN PRESENCE IS NOT.
true, and Crown agents are closely
watching his forays against trolls, gob-
lins, and ores in the Stonelands-in case
he turns out to be secreily meeting with
Zhentarim or worse.
Elvran Torchtower
(human male, Flrb, CG)
One of the few nobles of this youngest
generation to seem eager and happy
doing sword-service with the Purple
Dragons, this tall, quiet, competent man
is being watched to see if hell make a
good battle-officer. He's already a
lionar, and he might yet become one of
the youngest ever battle-masters of
Cormyr.
IN FAVOR
Barandos Hawklm
(human male, Flry, LN)
“The Hawk of Hawklin ” remains as pop¬
ular and prosperous as ever. This keen-
willed, shrewd investor is as debonair
with the ladies as ever, but he has held
to his integrity through several covert
War Wizard tests and earned much
Crown respect thereby, Unshakably hon¬
est men are a rarity in any realm, and
Barandos has the added talent of he mg a
pleasant person, not the least sanctimo¬
nious or difficult. He's also one of the
very few Cormyrians who places his
coins where they'll do the most good for
the realm first.
Barandos is no fool, however—and
when others do him dirty, he likes lo hire
adventurers to get even for him rather
than doing such dirty work himself.
Korvarr Rallyhom
(human male, Ftrg, LG)
A valiant lionar of the Purple Dragons
who resigned his rank due to the
actions of his younger brother (as seen
in Death of the Dragon), Korvarr
marked himself for royal attention with
his valor in aiding and defending Crown
Princess Tanalasta. Shaken by what he
saw of blood, death, and betrayal in the
fighting, Korvarr has become the
Crown s strongest ally among the
nobles, quietly urging them to support
this or that Grown suggestion or
decree, pointing out both high and self-
serving reasons to do so. War Wizards
have suspiciously probed his thoughts
on many occasions, looking for any sign
of him building future treason but have
found only guilt and a need to serve.
His rank was personally reinstated by
Alusair (whom he’s now hopelessly in
love with), and Korvarr might well soon
rise in royal service.
STAUNCHLY LOYAL
The Crown traditionally counts "the
Crown families" of Crownsilver,
Huntsilver, and Truesilver as loyal,
though their actions during Ihe Bleth
Affair have made the Obarskyrs look
hard at them. The Wyvernspurs and
Rowanmantles have both traditionally
and recently demonstrated personal
loyalty to Azoun IV and are also
deemed loyal.
There are nobles, however, whose
loyally was proven during Death of the
Dragon. Many of them died demon¬
strating their loyalty; of those who did
not, the most prominent are:
Hector Daimtinghorn
(human male, Ftrn, LN)
The head of his house and veteran
naval officer in the service of Cormyr,
this greying patriarch was shocked by
the revealed ruthlessness of Filfaeril
and Tanalasta in the Council of Iron
(see Death of the Dragon), as well as
the battle-skills of Alusair and he was
shocked into awe and almost worship
of the Obarskyr women. This is the
greatest realm in all Toril, and these
are royals he's proud lo serve. He'll
give his life for them without hesitation.
Roland Emmarask
(human male, Wiz6/Ftr6, LN)
Head of the Emmarask family, Roland is
known to be a thoughtful student of
Cormyrian history, especially of dis¬
putes among merchants and nobles. He
always takes "the long view," trying to
see what's best for the realm, and
telling either his cousin Alaphondar (the
Royal Sage) or the Dowager Queen his
opinions and his learning. His candor is
valued, his loyalty confirmed many
times over, and his collection of maps
unsurpassed-even in the Palace.
Idamoar Hardcastle
(human male, Ftrm, LG)
Idamoar is the head of his house and a
balding but still vigorous man. His
sons Guldrin and Rathtar died bravely
in the fighting. After returning to
Suzail, with her own father and sister
still unburied, Alusair personally took
the news of his sons to Idamoar. The
moment he saw her at his gates in her
blood-drenched armor, tears stream¬
ing down her face, he knew why she'd
come. Yet he felt so honored by the
way she told him the fates of his sons,
and the thanks she gave, that she
somehow lit a tamp in the darkest day
of his life. She's met with Idamoar
several times since, taken him drinking
with young nobles and made him
laugh, and all but bullied him into
fathering more children in his twilight
years. He reckons he owes the Steel
Regent his Eife back and will spend it
for her if he must.

purple policies
In the fledgling days of the Regency,
Cormyr has rebuffed envoys from
Sembia and Westgate with stiff
requests to “allow us time to order the
realm once more without your pressing
requests to spend coins among us that
come with strings firmly attached to
them” Increased trade is welcomed, but
an increased Sembian or Westhavian
presence (warehouses, businesses,
agents, and property purchases) is not.
Alusair has signaled that this might
change in the future, but such changes
wifi be at her own pleasure—which
never Flourishes under duress.
In contrast, merchants from the
Dales have been openly welcomed and
encouraged to settle, found new busi¬
nesses or wayposts of their established
concerns, and offers of Cormyrian
armed escorts for caravans have been
made.
At least one Zhent agent has
demanded the same treatment and been
coldly refused, but representatives
from Hillsfar and Elversult have been
politely encouraged into negotiations on
the same topics-dealings that despite
attractive offers from Cormyr seem to
have stalled in endless meetings.
When Sembia reacted angrily lo
being treated less favorably by Cormyr
than these more distant places, the
Steel Regent coolly requested the
immediate pay men I of outstanding loans
and debts in the matter of the road¬
works near Daerlun. She also
demanded the salvage of the Sembian
caravels Jhalavanther s Luck and Lady
Rubytresses, which Cormyrian navy
vessels towed to Marsember after they
were abandoned in the Neck, sunk to
the waterline and endangering other
shipping.
Malanker Gadroun, Lord Factor of
Westward (the western border of
Sembia) has protested against these
demands personally to the Sled Regent.
She then promised to sheathe his own
ceremonial sword up his backside if he
ever spoke so haughtily to her or any
other Cormyrian again.
When his report brought a stiff
warning from Ordulin as to "how
68 annual2ooo
greatly unfortunate further regrettable
incidents would be to the financial
future of Cormyr,” the Steel Regent
sent back this blunt message: "While
Sembia concerns itself with coins, we
of Cormyr worry about food, lives,
and having our swords ready. With
our larders bare, the ores and goblins
wiiJ look east to Sembia and see a land
that hasn’t yet enjoyed its share of
'regrettable incidents/ The Crown of
Cormyr fondly hopes ihat the good
merchants of Sembia, when next
counting their coins, find some wisdom
lying on the fab!e-and for once, pause
long enough from their money-grub¬
bing to pick it up.”
Alusair is determined to retake
Arabel before the next snows fly, and
then scour both the King’s Forest and
the Hullack Forest of all ores, goblins,
brigands, and monsters. If holding
Cormyr secure means building a line of
fortresses along the edge of the
Stonelands, that's what shell do.
At the same time, although Cormyr
officially welcomes neither the Harpers
nor any other independent organiza¬
tions, Alusair wants an unofficial
agency of the Crown to spy on the
doings of exiled Cormyrian nobles and
other known foes of the realm in
Sembia and Westgate. She wants the
agency independent of the War
Wizards, though, and doesn't quite
know how to do that-or if she can
trust the agency to serve only her if
she asks GJarasteer Rhauiigan to estab¬
lish it.
Alusair doesn’t anticipate being left
alone to pursue such ends, however;
she expects Faerun to soon hand her
too many crises to handle. Zhent and
Dragon Cult ambitions, Westhavian
plots and schemes, and rebel doings in
Marsember are some of her primary
concerns, for example. Then there’s the
matter of royal pretenders...
Pretenders
It’s common knowledge in Cormyr that
Azoun, and many of his ancestors
before him, have had a way with the
ladies, and that bastard offspring of
royal blood dwell in many a noble house
(and commoner's hut) all across
Cormyr.
Any or all of the sons among these
might well challenge for the crown if the
realm is weak or imperiled at some later
time; speculators would do well to
remember such names as Beliard
Cormaeril, the brothers Dauntryn and
Deice Dauntinghorn, Brace Skatterhawk,
and Ondryn Thundersword-among
many, many others.
Should any such shadow-kin of the
Obarskyrs move to take the throne,
others of similar standing are sure To
hotly contest their right to rule-and
Cormyr could well experience a
bloody civil war. The stability and
longevity of the Obarskyr rule have
thus far made the strength and pros-
perity of their realm, and if that fails,
Cormyr could rapidly become an array
of tiny, warring “vestpocket" baronies
like the Border Kingdoms on the Lake
of Steam.
Azouns philandering was so ener¬
getic that when he married Filfaeril on
Eleint 2, 1329, he was compelled to offi¬
cially renounce his favorite pastime.
Though the proclamation was no more
specific, it was openly identified by one
indelicate noble as "wenching his way
through the nobility of Cormyr." When
Azoun came to the throne En 1336 DR,
Vangerdahast ceremonially reaffirmed
the King's commitment to be faithful to
his Queen and the needs of the Throne.
Unfortunately for Cormyr, the dead
King's many unofficial offspring have
made no such commitment—and it's
likely, in the years to come, that one or
more of them might see their rightful
place as on the Dragon Throne and
actually do something about it. ^
As the long-ago Cormyrian bard
Londlas of Immersea sang:
“No backwater realm of trees this be.
Most favored Cormyr, dear / love thee,
For as I sit under my favorite tree, Every
peril of Faerun comes to visit me, ”
 Your ultimate source for
official D8.D® adventures.

> I.
:
' i ;
» * ;
5 _• V —

96 pages of full-color
adventures in every issue!

Adventures perfect for your m

campaign and suitable for
all levels of play.
Bonus Side Treks and
Maps of. Mystery
.— f. [r
Xv ’ • :\4r
Sim
Exciting new look and '$% * rrx:y/r
fantastic original artwork.

Save by subscribing now!

Fill out this form and mail it, with your payment, to the address below* LIMITED 1 iME OFFER!
Subscription Type:
Name . (encJuse-
O New Renewal mailing
Address " label)
x
City State/Prov. " to U S. Addresses
Country ZEp/Postal Code ® 1 year .[6 issues) for $19.95 US
® 2 years (12 issues) for $35*95 US
Method of Payment:
3 years (18 issues) for $49.95 US
O Check O Money Order MasterCard
Credit Card Number
MC Bank No. Expiration Date
4. . ■ A- -: \
v;\'W To Canadian Addresses
0 1 year (6 issues) for $29.95 US
Signature Date ^ 2 years (12 issues) for $54.95 US
■ >\
U S. and Canadian subscribers, — 3 years (18 issues) for $74.95 US
mail this card with payment to: kay.palmer@tnsofres.com\ fin Vito
Dungeon Magazine
Subscribers in the U.S. and Canada
Wizards of .-the Coast, Inc* . will receive ibsir first issues within 8 to 10 weeks.
P.0. Box 469106
■ ■ All prices are subject to change without notice.
Escondido, CA 92046-9106
dungeon@pcspublink.com DMDA00
or Fax to: 619-738-4805
.
Give your PCs a
little guidance
by David Chiinn
illustrated by Dennis Calero

M entors such as Merlin, Obi-wan

Kenobi, and Gandatf have trained*
rescued, and equipped the greatest
heroes of mylh. They are a staple of heroic
fiction* and therefore roleplaying adven¬
tures. Often* they are the heroes of the
previous generation counseling the new.
Using mentors in your campaign could
provide new plot twists, add character
interaction to skill-level training, or boost a
lagging storyline by giving PCs a mission.
To effectively use a mentor, you must
first understand his role. The mentor is a
channel through which PCs gain access to
the wisdom, encouragement, or tools nec¬
essary to complete their quests. Second,
you must define the mentor according to
the needs and personalities of the PCs.

Group and Personal Mentors

You'll need at least one major NPC mentor
during a campaign, and he should be a
group mentor capable of uniting and moti¬
vating all of the PCs toward a common goal.
You'll also need minor NPC mentors to
add depth and complexity to your story.
Some might apply to only one PC, others to
the whole group* bur when should you use
each type?
Use a personal mentor if a PC requires
specific, individual training unlike that
needed by anyone else. A PC can receive
individual missions from a personal mentor.
This is often the case with clerics, paladins,
and knights.
 Also, players might want a personal
mentor to add depth to their characters
backgrounds, especially if a character
comes from an exotic culture. For
example, a shaman mentor might give a
tribal warrior PC warnings from the land
of dreams.
Use a group mentor if the PCs have
trouble staying together whether
because of different motivations or
enmity. Usually, the major NPC mentor
fulfills this role. However, he might not
always be available.
If the PCs hit a tough spot and need
fresh encouragement or a new mission,
a minor group mentor can step in and
get things moving again. Finally, if all (or
a large portion) of the PCs have similar
training needs, you can save time by
using one teacher for everyone.
Caveat: Intrusive Mentors
Sometimes, DMs use mentors who
adventure alongside the PCs. If this
NPC often saves the day and steals the
spotlight, players grow bored. If you’re
doing This, you’ve abandoned your role
as storyteller in favor of playing a pow¬
erful character, one in which you have
a vested interest. Take a break from
DM mg and play in someone else’s
campaign.
Analyze the mentors you're using.
Don't drop a Gandalf into your campaign
when a typical scholar could do the job.
Of course, powerful mentors can be
used well if, like Gandalf, they’re never
around when the PCs think they need
them. Besides, Gandalf-types have other
responsibilities. Send them off on mis¬
sions of their own, or give them other
important story tasks.
In Star Wars, Obi-wan deactivates the
Death Star's tractor beam and sacrifices
himself to stall Darth Vader. Both actions
are essential plot tasks. At the same
time, Luke barely survives other mean¬
ingful and difficult challenges. This sort
of structure maintains the mentors
importance to the campaign world by
allowing him to use his full abilities with¬
out spoiling The players’ fun.
Adventure Hook: Don’t Mind My Ambition
Tagano, the local weapons-master, is always willing to take on students. Though
Tagano has good intentions, he also has strong political ambitions that will one
day conflict with the PCs’ ideals or pi I him or his other students against the PCs'
allies. Tagano is willing to overlook these differences, but can the PCs?
Adventure Hook: The Weapon Companion
One of The PCs finds an ancient, sentient broadsword named
Forrel, who reveals himself after he sees the PC perform a
heroic deed. In addition to allowing the use of his powers, Forrel
offers to train the PC in combat and military tactics. Sometimes
he gives tactical advice during the battle (at those times when
you want to warn them before they screw up big time).
Adventure Hook: Rival Mentors
Two of the PCs mentors, Hogart the Brave and Magus Tibbel, are rivals.
Besides bickering as to which is stronger, magic or the warrior's skill, they
place small bets on their students’ quests, and sometimes they exert strong
pressure on the PCs to outdo their rivals. Make sure their rivalry never
grows so intense that it splinters the group. Friendly competition
keeps things interesting and provide a few moments
of humor.
Alternately, the two mentors could sponsor
different adventurer groups. In this case, the
competition between the PCs and another
group could grow fierce, perhaps deadly.
Mentor Gifts and Tests The proper use of magical gifts is
In many stories, a mentor grants the often part of a hero’s ongoing testing.
hero magical gifts in addition to advice The noble hero uses a magic gift only
and training. These items should have a for honorable purposes. A mentor-given
story specific use, along with good limi¬ item might stop functioning or disappear
tations. Most such gifts are low-powered when used for the wrong reasons.
but useful-healing potions, minor scrolls, Keep in mind that the value of an
luck talismans, and so on. item is subjective. A knight might be
MENTORS IN YOUR CAMPAIGN COULD PROVIDE
NEW PLOT TWISTS OR BOOST A LAGGING
STORYLINE BY GIVING PCS A MISSION.
A powerful gift should be granted ecstatic to receive a magic longsword,
only after a PC proves himself worthy while a peasant-hero would be happy to
through a difficult, lengthy, and often get a high quality spear. The peasant s
deadly test. For instance, a shaman test might be to answer a riddle, while
leads the PCs on a long, dangerous the knight might have to fight a giant.
vision quest through the dream-world
\o recover artifacts that will increase Seven Common Mentor Tvnes
their abilities. However, to get those This mentor list is not exhaustive, and
objects, each PC must face a powerful the different types could be blended to
guardian who represents his or her construct new types. Each type will be
worst nightmare. altered by the distinct personality and
character of the mentor you create,
i. Helper
z. Squad Leader
3. Teacher
4. Sponsor
5. Retired Hero
6. Shadow
 Adventure Hook: Go Away, I’m Retired adventurer might have more skill knowl¬
edge, but due to age he's starting to slow
Teppy Crawl, an old explorer, is the only person to have down and lose power.
crossed the Jungle of Plagues-a place to which the PCs In a military-style campaign, make the
must adventure. The problem is that Teppy vowed never Squad Leader one or two levels better
to talk about exploration again after accidentally causing than the PCs, then progress him at a
a rock slide I hat killed two of her companions. If the PCs similar rate. This way he remains helpful
want lo succeed, they must convince the grief-siricken and slightly superior, yet he’s never
Teppy to divulge her secrets, if not personally guide capable of outshining them by any great
them through the jungle. Neither is going to be easy. means. At some point, the PCs should
surpass or equal him in ability.
Even the Squad Leader's wisdom can
be tricky to handle. The PCs need to
Adventure Hook: Dark & Mysterious solve their own problems and not
become dependent on the mentor’s opin¬
A person known only as the Dark Mask sponsors the PCs. ions and ideas. One way to handle this is
She demands little except the occasional seemingly to make the mentor wise but not neces¬
inconsequential mission such as delivering a per¬ sarily smart, perhaps even a bit dull.
sonal letter. Yet, she equips and trains them, This way, he makes good but slow deci¬
even gives them a small base of operations. sions and doesn’t come up with all the
Shell work to earn their trust, and one day ideas. But don’t overdo it. PCs tend to
shell reveal her identity and motives. Who get tired of people perceived as idiots,
she is and whether she’s been up to good or especially ones who are in charge.
evil is up to you.
Teacher
The Teacher is a standard advisor or
Helper Some inexperienced PCs nearly died instructor who hangs around the PCs
The PCs have crossed the Wastes of fighting trolls, A Helper heals them, home base waiting to train them when
Doom. They Ye starving, wounded, and advises them to use fire, and even sells their skill-level increases. This type is
lost. Luckily, they encounter Basala the them some flasks of oil Now the PCs best used for individual PCs who need
hedge witch, who heals them. When she have a better chance, buf they still have specialized training.
finds out they're on a quest to kill to do the dirty work Themselves. Some Teachers take an active inter¬
est in the PCs actions and train them to
A SINISTER SHADOW MIGHT SIND PCS accomplish a specific task—take over as
sharif, liberate the nation, become a Jedi

Oh QUESTS THAT SEEM1NN0CENT BUT
ACTUALLY FURTHER THE CAUSES OF EVIL.
Karoom the Corrupt, who murdered her
brother, she gladly gives them healing
potions, directions to his keep, and
advice on how to defeat him.
A mentor like Basala, who might
appear once or twice in a campaign, is a
Helper. Pul simply, this common mentor
type is a plol device that appears when
the PCs need specific help-perhaps a
small gift or information to get to the
adventure's next stage.
Always have an extra Helper ready
in case something goes wrong—the PCs
get lost, nearly all of them die, they can’t
solve a problem, and so forth. However,
be sure to devise a plausible reason for
the Helper to show up.
The Helper doesn't fix the PCs’ prob¬
lems herself. Instead, she gives Ihem a
fresh perspective or a better opportu¬
nity to do it themselves. For example:
and defeat the Empire, and so on. Others
trust the PCs' integrity and have no
vested interest or in pul as fo what the
PCs do. Unless the PC is apprenticed to
his mentor, the Teacher has her own
Sauad Leader agendas and other students.
Because of their wisdom and skill, Squad A Teacher who strictly advises could
Leaders can easily steal glory from the be a PCs mother, a wise priest, or an
PCs. Therefore, be cautious in their cre¬ old bard who knows many legends. Such
ation and in playing them. All of the mentors work well because they possess
advice here applies to any mentor com¬ a lot of wisdom about life but know little
panion who travels with the PCs, tf anything about solving puzzles or
regardless of whether he’s in charge. fighting dragons.
Try to find creative ways to limit the i
Squad Leader's raw power. An older
Adventure Rook: The “Honest" Bureaucrat
Lord Crabot, the PCs’ Sponsor Mentor, appears honest,
but he’s actually a corrupt bureaucral. He manipulates the
information he gives the PCs, making his enemies seem
guilty of horrible crimes, though they’ve done nothing
wrong. The PCs are paid to seize, harass, or kill these
enemies. They think they're doing a good deed until
they find out the truth.

72 annual 2ooo
 Sponsor
The Sponsor is the best archetype to
use early in a campaign because he can
give missions to start the ball roiling as
well as provide background information
to set up future events and ease the
players into the campaign world.
Common Sponsors are rich mer¬
chants, nobles, priests, and scholars-
people who have the resources to equip
the PCs and provide for their training.
But don’t make the Sponsor too gener¬
ous, otherwise the PCs will become
over-equipped and complacent.
The best Sponsors have limitations
to their giving. An exiled prince wont be
able to reward the PCs substantially until
he retakes the throne. Remember, most
people don't have powerful artifacts and
magic items. Those who do keep them
to themselves.
The agenda of an important Sponsor,
like an exiled prince seeking to retake his
throne, can often become the central
quest of the campaign.
Retired Hero
This old hero, whether a soldier, thief, or
crime-fighter, has seen it all but can’t or
doesn’t adventure anymore. Maybe she
lost heart, grew too old, or was critically
injured.
If physically possible, however, a
Retired Hero might adventure again if
she’s needed to save the world or coun¬
try. Such old heroes often have a
climactic death in which they ensure the
survival and success of younger heroes,
as with Obi-wan Kenobi sacrificing him¬
self to allow Luke and the others to
escape the Death Star.
Any Teacher, Sponsor, or Helper
could be a retired hero, but as a
recurring NPC, the Retired Hero type
represents someone who wants little
to do with the old adventuring life.
He’s likely to be little more than a friend,
giving advice and encouragement to
I the PCs.
Shadow
Nol all mentors are conspicuously good
guys. These mentors have secret, possi¬
bly sinister agendas. An NPC fulfilling
the role of any other mentor type can
also be a Shadow.
A sinister Shadow might send PCs on
quesrs That seem innocent but actually
further the causes of evil Ultimately, the
PCs' loyalties are strained when they end
up in conflict with the Shadow. After the
Adventure Rook; Sliding Toward the Dark Side
H
When The campaign began, the PCs’ Sponsor, j
a
Brogfel the High Priest of Tyr, was proud, honest, h
and noble. However, after Tyr refused to heal his j j
dying sister, Brogfel became despondent then j It
maniacal. He has turned to evil, systematically III
destroying the religion he helped build. The PCs M1jk
must defeat him or find a way to get him back I||
under control. || Si
truth is revealed, mentor gifts might A popular Shadow, used as a
become curses, and other adventurers Sponsor, is the mysterious benefactor.
might distrust the PCs. This mentor keeps his identity secret
Shadows can sometimes be redeemed while financially supporting the PCs and
by the heroism of their students. The providing them with missions.
PCs might grow dose to their mentor, Don’t use the Shadow too often
and when they discover his evil nature, as a major NPC, because players will
they might want to turn him because begin to unfairly distrust every mentor
They’re determined he’s good inside. you introduce.
Whether this works is up to you, but
PCs should be rewarded for trying such
valiant actions.
Mentor Tests
SEEK Bt RETRIEVE
The mentor tells the PCs the location of Kabbat’s Grimoire, which contains spells
they need to defeat an upcoming enemy. To recover it, the PCs have to defeat
the book’s ancient and powerful guardians.
OLYMPIC TRIAL
The mentor requires the PCs to swim across the raging Gorl River, scale Mount
Olympia, and return in three days with a marker from the summit. Such trials
are designed to test knowledge and willpower as much as physical capability.
RIDDLE ME THIS
The PCs must answer a riddle to receive help. The best riddles not only test the
PCs’ wisdom but also provide foreshadowing or personal advice. Some riddles
don’t have set answers but can be solved multiple ways with any intelligent or
compassionate response being the correct answer,
DEMONSTRATE YOUR SKILL
The PCs’ would-be mentor, the bronze dragon Tabboth, requires them to prove
their worth in combat against him. This gives inexperienced PCs a chance To
fight one of the big guys and see how they measure up without the risk of
dying. Remember, they don’t have to know it’s a test at first.
 101 Evil Schemes*
101 (Mostly) Foolproof Plots for Villains
by E.W. Morton
The measure of a villain is his motive. With that in mind, here are
dozens of villainous schemes for your consideration. Use them as story
ideas or simply fantastic rumors. Use them as hooks and background.
Use them alone, or strung together. But however you would use them,
just remember that it’s the scheme that makes the villain.
A killer stalks the streets. The twist?
The killer is a paladin who has been con¬
vinced by an imposter cleric that the
murders will stop the results of a dire
prophecy. The imposter knows that this
murder spree will fulfil! the dark
prophecy, not prevent it.
A foreign agent hires an evil dragon to
prey on local livestock. The agent hopes
that local heroes will slay the dragon
and that its sire, a great wyrm of leg¬
endary power, will descend in rage upon
the land.
©
A madman hires the PCs to bring him a
sphere of annihilation. He has been col¬
lecting such items for years and plans
on conjoining enough of them to rip
apart the fabric of the universe. The
madman, an expert at controlling the
spheres, plans to destroy the heroes
using the sphere they bring him.
A wizard seeks spell components ihat he
plans to use to transport his city to rhe
Upper Planes, where it will forever exist
in peace, A local warlord, whose armies
will no longer face opposition once the
wizard’s city is gone, secretly inspired
this idea.
74 annual 2ooo
A local wizard has established an acad¬
emy and is hiring adventurers to
uncover lost tomes for its library.
Unknown to all, the academy is the pet
project of a mind flayer clan that hopes
to attract learned (and tasty) minds.
©
A vampire, Ii red of undeath, uses magic
to switch bodies with a living woman.
The victim of this scheme, now undead
and consumed with unimaginable
hunger, is on a ravenous murder spree,
regretting her actions but unable to help
herself. When confronted, she begs to
be returned to her own body.
A nemesis of the PCs has devised a
nasty strategy; He leads several carrion
crawlers inl o I he PCs* camp. The para¬
lyzing carrion crawlers soften up the
PCs for the main attack.
©
A frost wizard decides that all of
society's problems can be blamed on
emotions. He begins replacing people
in his homeland with simulacra, as per
the spell.
o
A tanar’ri ventures into a high technol¬
ogy universe to acquire a nuclear
weapon. Such technological devices do
not work outside of their home plane,
but this is not yet known. The tanarYi
must be stopped, either on its way back
to the Abyss or in the high-lech uni¬
verse itself.
©
An advisor to the king uses illusions to
convince the sovereign that his lost love
is secretly being held captive by an ally.
The advisor hopes to take the throne
from The “mad king” after he starts a
war and alienates his supporters.
A woman seeks adventurers to confront
an ancient evil. What she doesn't say is
that the evil will be freed when tres¬
passers enter its lair. The woman is a
foreign agent who wants this misfortune
to befall the land.
©
The tarrasque has been devastating the
countryside, but a planewalking “tar-
rasque hunter” has recently opened a
vast gate with which to whisk the crea¬
ture away. All the traveler needs are a
few volunteers to lure the tar rasque into
the porlai. The mad “tarrasque hunter” is
actually trying to destroy his home world,
as the tarrasque will be deposited there.
A conniving rogue has devised a means
by which to bring down the PCs. With
the help of a wizard, he crafts a set of
cursed items, each of which is a replica
of an object carried by one of the PCs.
One by one, he replaces each of the
PCs valuable items with its cursed
replica.
O
Elves are long-lived but not immortal.
One decides that she will become the
latter. She founds a cult in her name
and demands unswerving loyally from
her followers, even though she knows
that this results in their execution for
heresy. She hopes that this sacrifice in
her name will further her quest tor
immortality.
A lich is weary of meddling in the
affairs of the mortal world and wants to
die. He doesn’t want anyone to take his
accumulated treasures without effort, so
he threatens a nearby city with destruc¬
tion unless some adventurers hazard the
dangers of his lair and destroy him.
m
A flock of cbakers has made an alliance
with a sadistic merchant, who now "sells”
the cloakers to unsuspecting buyers, as
rhe monsters are almost indistinguishable
from fine cloaks. Together, the merchant
and ihe cloakers hope to seize control of
the immediate area.
A madman, obsessed with studying the
psychology behind fear, has created a
golem to spread panic. The madman fol¬
lows his evil creation, observing as it
terrorizes the local peasantry.
O
A mangy clan of gnolls resides in the
city sewers and works to cave in these
underground pipelines. If they are not
stopped soon, the damage to the city’s
foundations will be too great, and the
population above the surface will be
forced to flee the resulting ruin.
©
Upstanding members of the community,
all of whom claim to be innocent, appear
to have committed all manner of petty
crimes. The crime spree is actually the
result of a manipulative koboid that has
become an "imaginary friend” to several
children, whom it is using as larcenous
pawns.
A wizard collects monsters and keeps
them in a menagerie. She hires powerful
adventurers to collect them. Little do
they know that she plans to use them to
attack a college of magic that banned
her for her evil experiments.
An ore general has found an interesting
use for a dan of giants. He has the
giants toss ores with feather fail cast on
them over the walls of each city his
horde encounters. These ores make their
way to the city gates and open them
before the startled defenders can react.
A tyrant fears that the people will revolt
if not taught thal his harsh ways are
necessary. He tricks two powerful guilds
into a vicious conflict and uses it to jus-
tify his ruthless policies.
A clever band of gargoyles has chosen
as its home a city in which ranged
weapons are forbidden and statuary is
commonplace. They can hide amid the
inanimate gargoyles decorating the
rooftops and can fly unchallenged.
Attempts a I driving them away have yet
to succeed.
© A priest of an evil sea god, posing as a
A mercenary captain looking for
employment poses as a highwayman. His
mercenary company is hired and inter -
lionally fails to capture the highwayman.
When others are asked to join in the
hunt, the mercenaries decide to frame
the newcomers for the robberies.
© become as evil as the fiends he fights.
Of late, winters have been especially
harsh. A conjurer tries to fix the prob¬
lem by traveling to the Underdark and
opening vortices to the Elemental Plane
of Fire. His plan will flood many miles of
inhabited caverns with magma,
destroying several communities to warm
his own,
A bored god of strife has provoked a
healed argument between several god¬
desses, persuading them to pick a mortal
arbiter. Regardless of this arbiter’s deci¬
sions, he is likely to upset at least one of
the goddesses, who will bring misfortune
upon him and his companions.
A necromancer has been digging tun¬
nels between Ns manor and the city
graveyard to steal corpses. When a
grave digger discovers the tunnels, the
mayor calls for help with catching the
necromancer and his zombie minions.
An ancient lich has uncovered the hid¬
ing place of a hibernating vampire. To
rid himself of this potential rival, the lich
poses as the vampire and preys on the
local populace. When confronted, The
lich flees into the vampire’s crypt then
teleports away, leaving the PCs to finish
off his enemy.
Magic items are all but priceless. A
fledgling wizard realized this and has
created several items that look magical
using Nystufs magic aura. He has put
these items up for sale, claiming that
they’re actual magic items.
navigator, leads a passenger vessel into
kraken territory, where he plans to sac¬
rifice the ship and its passengers to a
minion of his wicked patron.
A messenger from the Upper Planes has
The celestial hires the PCs to battle a
fiend he is hunting, but he intends on
helping the fiend defeat them. He
believes that he can better rally support
for his cause if the PCs become martyrs.

The leviathan is a creature of good,
ever fighting the evils of the sea.
Sahaugin send agents to an island nation
with fabricated stories aboul the evils of
the leviathan, stories supported by
“leviathan attacks” that are actually
sahaugin raids for which the leviathan
has been framed.
With the help of a cloud giant clan, a
wizard has discovered a spell that can
destroy magic cloud islands. The wizard
has already tested his spell on the isle of
the cloud giants, sending most of the
dan plummeting to their deaths. He now
plans on dispelling a cloud island Inhab¬
ited by a silver dragon to steal the
dragon's treasure.
0
Rakshasas have conquered an entire city
with one swift attack and then masked it
with powerful magic to preserve an illu¬
sion of of normality. Rumor of the attack
is rampant but no one is sure which city
the rakshasas now control.
An old man claims to have escaped the
slave pits of a powerful warlord. He has
the layout of the warlord's fortress
memorized and can lead interested par¬
ties straight to the throne room. In real¬
ity, the old man is the warlord himself,
looking to fake his own death so he can
work from the shadows.
0
The monstrous yuan-ti hope to smuggle
their ruler out of their lair In a particu¬
lar city. They infest the market with
deadly serpents, creating a diversion. As
the citizens panic, the serpentine ruler
of the yuan-ti is on the move.
An aging warrior-king wishes to die in
battle and so must start a wan He gives
his crown to some of his men and hires
a band of adventurers to reclaim the
Item, which the king tells them has been
stolen. When the adventurers acquire
76 annual 2ooo
the crown, the king accuses them of
having been hired by a neighboring
kingdom to steal it, thus justifying a dec¬
laration of war.
A vigilante has hounded the guild master
of a local thieves guild for years. To
stop this, the guild master assassinates
several citizens of questionable but for-
givable morals and frames the vigilante.
People begin to fear that their protector
has finished with thieves and moved on
to those who commit the smallest of
offenses. The citizens now seek some¬
m
one to hunt down the vigilante.
In a city where the ownership of quality
pets is a status symbol, an evil trans-
muter has polymorphed his many dop-
pelganger minions into fine animals and
sold them to the nobility. Once each
noble owns one of these false pets, the
doppelgangers, which can counteract
polymorph spells on a whim, will replace
the entire upper class,
& A coven of hags shares a friendly
To avoid being caught, a vampire devel¬
ops a spell that gives people a strong
aversion to garlic, sunlight, running
water, and mirrors. Whenever a new
hunt for the vampire begins, the crea¬
ture casts the spell on someone else,
leading hunters to believe that the spell's
victim is the vampire being hunted.
Currently, the vampire plans on making
a “Troublesome” paladin or priest this
unique spell's next target.
0
A wizard has been dominating powerful
individuals to use as pawns with a
unique variant of the dominate person
spell that not only controls the victim
hut also causes that person to believe
that the source of the spell is someone
of the wizard's choosing. Using this
special spell, the evil wizard frames a
powerful, good-aligned rival.
0
A fiend has created a spell that allows
recipients to become native to the
Upper Planes, but it must sacrifice many
celestial beings to cast it. The fiend has
gathered a small army of Its kind and
wants to enchant them, allowing them to
operate freely on the Upper Planes. All
the fiend must do is lure some celestials
into a trap it has set using hired mortals
as pawns.
0
A local human king, tired of elves
harassing his nation's loggers, hires a
hand of adventurers to deliver a mes¬
sage of peace to the elven court.
Unknown to the messengers, the scroll
carrying this message has been coated
with a poison that afflicts only elves.
The king hopes to provoke the elves
into open warfare.
Everyone thinks about vampires, but no
one ever remembers the insidious lamia.
One particular lamia is feeding off the
local population and throwing off inves¬
tigators by spreading rumors suggesting
the presence of a vampire.
wager. They hope to humiliate an adven¬
turing party by having one of the
adventurers unintentionally kill another.
The first among the hags to successfully
pull off this scheme wins the bet.
0
A crafty rogue has been pursuing an
uninterested maiden for some time. When
a dragon attacks the countryside, the
rogue sees his chance. He convinces the
local villagers that they must sacrifice the
object of his attention to the dragon. He
plans to kidnap the girl when she is left
for sacrifice. Unfortunately for all, the
dragon hears that a maiden is being
offered and plans to show up for dinner.
0
A band of lizard folk has decided to
divert a river and flood a city, which
they will then claim as their own.
Fortunately, a traveler has glimpsed their
riverside excavations and asked adven¬
turers to investigate.
 in
A famous artist, recently snubbed by
the nobility, takes dormant yellow mold
and uses it to color the yellow portions
of the paintings of his rival just before a
gala exhibition at a noble’s mansion, TTie
people at the exhibition notice nothing
amiss except for a strange odort but a
day later they all feel the mold's deadly
effect.
Local hobgoblin bands have enlisted a
human traitor as a spy. The spy has
concocted special ink that is visible only
to darkvision, and he has been writing
messages to the hobgoblins on the sides
of wagons leaving his home city.
0 ©
An ore general is planning on attacking
a certain city, in the sewers beneath
this city, the ore has raised a large herd
of rust monsters. Unless they are dis¬
covered and destroyed, they will be
unleashed upon the city armory, crip¬
pling the city’s militia even as the ores
move to attack.
In a land plagued by the walking dead,
an undead hunting wizard offers train¬
ing in return for assistance. Unknown to
the wizard, the idea to train others in
his profession was secretly suggested
by a lich, who needs pawns with which
to battle an undead rival
©
One of the nobility discovers that the
king is sending a peace offering to one¬
time enemies and convinces the people
that their king has betrayed them. The
citizens support the nobility in a political
coup unless the truth is revealed.
A greedy wafer elemental has opened a
vortex in the middie of the ocean and is
intent upon draining the seas back into
the elemental plane from which they
came. To stop the elemental from turn¬
ing the world into a desert, the creature
must be offered something that it would
value more than the contents of every
m
ocean in the world.
A powerful werewolf has learned a
magical rile that IransPorms infected
lycanthropes into true lycanthropes. He
is now offering true lycanthropy to any
who will swear allegiance to him, and he
is slowly turning local thugs and once-
vanquished villains into formidable foes.
To monopolize a given trade route, a
ruthless conglomerate of merchants
enlists the aid of several goblinoid tribes
to attack rival caravans.
A planar explorer bottles the waters
from the River Styx and somehow pre¬
serves their mystical amnesia-causing
properties. He returns home to wreak
vengeance upon his enemies by stealing
their memories.
&
A con man is selling false treasure
maps. To insure that his scheme
remains uncovered, each of the man’s
maps leads explorers to the lair of a
deadly beast, where they will presum¬
ably meet their doom.
© grants the man divine power, no strings
The high priest of a destructive god is
granted an earthquake spell and now
heads toward a city at the foot of a
dormant volcano. If not intercepted, the
priest casts earthquake upon the moun¬
tain and triggers a violent eruption.
An efreeti has created a band of almost
unstoppable minions by granting a dan
of trolls their wish to have immunity to
fire. The trolls now stalk the land with
impunity, ruling in the name of their
efreeti ally.
An army of goblins laying siege to a vil¬
lage has devised a wicked lactic, They
begin catapulting stone jars Into the city,
where the jars shatter and unleash their
lethal contents: green slime!
m
The king’s remote summer estate has
become infested with ghosts, much to
the monarch's chagrin. In reality, the so-
called ghosts are illusions, created by a
spellcasting gnome squatter who wishes
to keep the royal residence to himself.
©
An evil priest poses as a member of a
good-aligned church to gain political
power. In return for an annual human
sacrifice, the evil priest’s patron pro-
tects him from detection by members of
the church. To fulfill this year's sacri¬
fice, the priest secretly builds a dun¬
geon to be used in an ambush and asks
m
adventurers to investigate,
An aging sage has discovered the lair
of a lich and agrees to lead the PCs
there to confront the creature. The
sage doesn’t actually want the heroes to
slay it for he hopes that the lich will
somehow help him cheat death. If nec¬
essary the sage will turn on the PCs to
save the zombie lord from destruction.
0
A bored god of strife decides to use a
social outcast as entertainment. He
attached. Now, the mortal-turned-avatar
capriciously torments the society that
cast him out. The only hope of ending
his reign of terror is for someone to
convince him to willingly give up the
divine gift he has received.
©
The sultan of the efreet decides to flex
his muscles by brightening the flames
of the sun and turning the world into an
arid desert. To prevent this, someone
must travel to the City of Brass and
convince the sultan that his malicious
display of power isn’t necessary.
A seafaring merchant has hoarded
grain. He wants to sell it at the highest
price he can. To this end, he has
secretly infested his vessel with vermin
from a distant continent* These vermin
will cause terrible crop blights in his
homeland unless someone keeps them
from being brought ashore.
0
A drow learns that a surface elf has
been coflecting cursed items and storing
them in an anti-magic vault. Looking to
wreak havoc, the drow slays the elven
collector and distributes the cursed
items far and wide.
An island temple has been declared
taboo; should any mortal set foot within
it, terrible plagues will ravage the land. A
man whose wife died of an illness wants
everyone to share his misery. He seeks
to find and enter the temple.
&
A treaty with the local elves prohibits
human travelers from harming any veg¬
etation in the surrounding woods. An
evil cfan of minotaurs is using this to
their advantage and has been planting
brambles for years, turning the wood
into a giant hedge maze.
Q secretly desires to transform one of
A manipulative temptress has decided
that the PCs would make nice pawns. To
make them hers, she has asked a sly
rogue to slip potions of love into each
of their drinks just before she encoun¬
ters them.
O
A young cleric has been given the
honor of conducting a special holiday
ritual. Her lazy brother, long jealous of
her success in life, has been interfering
with the preparations for the ritual, try¬
ing to make her look incompetent. The
clergy fears that evil spirits are behind
the mishaps,
0 he merely wishes it to look as if he does.
A glabrezu looks to interfere with the
ritual that keeps it at bay, but it can’t
enter the town where the ritual is being
held. It has enlisted the aid of a foolish
78 annual 2ooo
mortal, whom it plans to have take the
blame for any interference it's inspired.
0
A clockmaker building a clock tower for
the city requests the .PCs' help to rid his
tower of gremlins. In truth there are no
gremlins. The clockmaker was paid to
assassinate the PCs and he equipped the
clock tower with deadly traps*
A medusa has decided to build herself a
sanctuary constructed of petrified
humanoids* Towards this end, she
has enlisted the services of notorious
kidnappers*
The PCs learn that an ancient Etch has
tempted one of their spellcasfer allies,
convincing the man to become a lich. To
save their friend’s soul, the PCs must
prevent the ritual that will transform him
into one of the undead.
©
A vampire has gained control of one of
the PCs’ former allies. She hopes that
the PCs will attempt to save him, for she
their number into a vampire*
0
One of the heroes’ cohort has developed
an eye for a particular PC. She goes to
any length to keep the PC out of danger,
even going so far as to undermine the
PCs every action in the hopes of per¬
suading him to retire from adventuring*
To generate distrust among the PCs,
one of their long-time foes has kid¬
napped and later returned one of the
party members. The abductee has no
memories of his abduction but radiates
moderate Enchantment magic. The villain
has no real control over the abductee;
0
A devious necromancer has captured
one of the PCs' cohorts, swapped his
spirit with that of a doppelganger, and
then returned him in the doppleganger s
body but in his own form. The abductee
is unaware that he is now a doppel¬
ganger, but the PCs might learn this fact
and think their henchman is an imposter.
When they find the doppelganger in
their friend’s body, they might assume
the worst and believe him to be a real
shape shifter*
A villain, using a magical portal, has
traveled back in time. Fearing that the
villain will try to change the past, the
PCs must use the same portal to go
back after him. The villain does not
actually dare interfere with history. His
real goal Is to keep the PCs out of the
present so that his allies’ present-day
schemes go unchallenged.
To discourage thieves, a mighty wizard
once cut a deal with a powerful, evil
entity, insuring that any unauthorized
persons entering his keep would be
transported to a replica of the keep on
the Lower Planes. The wizard has long
since passed away and no warning
remains about his extradimensional trap.
To prevent two kingdoms from allying
against them, a band of goblins has been
making border raids upon both nations,
framing each kingdom for attacks upon
the other* Anyone wanting to protect
the alliance must venture to the goblins
warrens and uncover evidence of the
creatures’ trickery.
An evil wizard has set out on a venture
to the center of the world, from which
he plans to retrieve a powerful artifact*
He will be stopped only if someone else
ventures through the Underdark and
beats him to the prize.
An aboleth has decided to build an out¬
post in a murky, aboveground lagoon. It
has trapped the inhabitants of a fishing
village at the bottom of the lagoon for
use as slave labor.
 ©
To remain the best in the land, a
breeder of prize chickens steals his
rivals' chicken eggs and replaces them
with cockatrice eggs* These eggs hatch,
and the cockatrices run amok across the
countryside.
A dragon has concocted a plan to elimi¬
nate potential threats. Using a crystal
ball the dragon uncovers the identities
of local adventuring professionals and
has its minions ambush these individuals
before they become too experienced.
An archeologist ventures into the deep
desert, where a living idol trapped
beneath the sands is using most of its
remaining power to demand the archeol¬
ogist's assistance. The evil idol hopes
that the ensorcelled archeologist will
.©
unearth it.
An infamous bard wants to add to his
legend. He helps the PCs defeat a par¬
ticular beast but then turns upon them
so that he can claim to be the sole sur¬
vivor of the glorious quest. Even if the
bard fails to murder the adventurers,
stones of his deeds will be spread sim¬
ply for making the attempt.
©
An evil treant has decided to wage a
war against civilization using animated
trees as soldiers. The treant has
attacked several hamlets* The survivors
of these strikes have fled, believing the
forest to be cursed*
A baron hires adventurers to eliminate a
band of goblins that has been destroying
his crops and digging up his fields. What
the baron doesn'r tell those in his
employ is that the goblins are actually
searching for their young, whom the
baron has kidnapped to work as slaves
in his mines. It is the location of these
hidden mines that the goblins seek with
their mysterious excavations*
©
Of late, the waters of the bay are
becoming murkier, driving away wildlife
and making life difficult for the fisher¬
men. The source of the silt is a ruthless
wizard, who is using his magic to pollute
the bay. He hopes that this will force an
elusive mermaid to surface for capture.
© disappointed minions to attack their for¬
An elf seeks the heart of an ancient
wood, where he claims he will study a
small band of benign drow renegades. In
truth, the man Is a half-elf whose elven
mother was slain by evil drow. He wants
to test a poison on ihe renegade drow
before risking his life to deliver the toxin
Into the water supply of their evil kin.
A conniving thief has stolen a religious
icon and planted it in the house of a
particular noble. He cares nothing about
the icon but instead wants the noble to
be executed so that no one remains 1o
attest to the exact size of the noble’s
gem collection, from which the thief will
pilfer a fair percentage.
A bitter dwarven weaponsmith has
made it his mission to spread misery
throughout the world* To this end, he
sabotages every weapon he makes.
Though all of his wares appear to be of
the highest quality, each fails dramati¬
cally after several weeks of use.
A particular rogue was raised to dislike
wizards, and he has found a way to do
away with them. The man breeds book¬
worms, which he makes sure to unleash
upon any tome or library he can reach
using his roguish talents.
A villain's follower has convinced both
the villain and his heroic rivals to travel
through a magical portal. The henchman
plans to destroy the portal, sfranding his
boss and his enemies so he can to take
over his former master’s criminal empire.
©
One of the PCs’ nemeses has reformed
and hopes to earn redemption by fight¬
ing evil at their side. Unfortunately, one
of this individual’s evil rivals sees an
opportunity to destroy both the PCs and
their newfound ally; this foe has
recruited some of the reformed villain’s
mer master and the characters.
• ©
Grimlocks, who are born blind, have
shrouded a human city in a cloud of
smoke generated by an unusually potent
eversmoking bottle. The smoke doesn't
reach indoors, but on the streets, where
vision is completely obscured, the grim¬
locks reign supreme. The only way to
free the city is to find and seal the
eversmoking bottle.
A kraken with a taste for land-dwellers
has developed a potent magical talent
that allows it to open magical doorways
connecting its lair to other watery
locales. The sea monster has been using
this magic to snatch victims through
poofs, wells, and even bathtubs*
The city has fended off several umber
hulk attacks, but the monsters are learn¬
ing* They have started working as sap¬
pers, destroying city structures from
below. If the umber hulks are not
stopped, the city will be undermined and
collapse.
With the birth of his daughter sixteen
years ago, an evil game hunter appar¬
ently gave up his wicked ways. He
retired from hunting and reared his
daughter to be a perfectly virtuous
young woman. In truth, the hunter is
using his daughter in a sixteen-year-old
scheme* Once adventurers make the
surrounding woodlands a safe place in
which his daughter can stroll, he hopes
that she will befriend the wood's elusive
unicorn, bringing it into the open so that
he can claim its horn as a trophy. (Jj
 try Monte Cook * illustrated by D, Alexander Gregory

THE GNOME TRICKSTER | HIT DIE |

orced to dwell among creatures
larger and stronger than they,
gnomes have often turned to
their unique strengths to survive. The
Lvl
1
Attack
Bonus
4-1
Fort,
Save
+0
Ref,
Save
+2
Will
Save
+0
—6J
Misdirection
phrase "they might be big, but were z 4-Z +0 +3 +0 Slippery, illusion expertise
smart” is a common one among their 3 -H +3 . +1. False charm
kind, as is “if you can't beat them, trick 4 *3 +1 +4 +T Size combat
them ." The gnome trickster prestige 5 +4 -H +4 -H Extended illusion
class provides a model in which the 6 +5 +2 +5 4-2 Repeated strike
"tricky little guy” archetype of the 7 +6 +2 +5 +2 Enlarge illusion
gnome is quantified with formidable 8 +2 +6 4-2 Bonus illusion
game mechanics. 9 +7 +6 +3 Quickened illusion
10 +8 +3 +7 +3: Fade away
Gnome Trickster
The trickster is a gnome specializing in Lvl: The level of the trickster,_ Rtt Save: The save bonus on Reflex
the use of deception and misdirection 'Attack Bomss: The trickster's attack saving throws, added to the character's
to get ahead. He can be playful and bonus, added to the characters normal normal save bonus.
light-hearted, but he just as often uses attack bonus,__ Will $8ve: The save bonus on Will
his skills to fool his foes in deadly situa¬ Fort* Save: The save bonus on saving throws, added to the character's
tions. A trickster employs the skills of Fortitude saving throws, added to the normal save bonus, _
both illusionists and rogues fused character's normal save bonus. Special: Level-dependent class
together in a uniquely gnomish features.
amalgam.
Tricksters are most often rogues or REQUIREMENTS
wizards, but just about any gnome To qualify to become a trickster, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
character—short of perhaps a paladin—
has taken up the role of the trickster. Must be a gnome_ Hide skill ranks: 3
NPC tricksters are usually loners Must be able to cast at least ist-level Pick Pocket ranks: 5
looking for fun, adventure, riches, or arcane spells of the Illusion school Bhiff ranks: 7_
all of the above. Heroic feats: Expertise

8d annual2do6
 CLASS SKILLS
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 +
modifier

The trickster's class skills (and the

key ability for each skill) are:

Balance (Dex)
Bluff (Cha)
Escape Artist (Dex)
Hide (Dex)
Innuendo (Wis)
Listen (Wis)
Move Silently (Dex)
Perform (Dex)
Pick Pockets (Dex)
Sense Motive (Wis)
Spot (Wis)
Tumble (Dex)

CLASS FEATURES J • Repeated Strike; At 6th level,

* Weapon and Armor Proficiency:
The trickster is proficient with at! simple
weapons, but no type of armor or shield,
* Misdirection: Once per day, for
every three levels of the trickster, the
trickster can, as a free action, force
one foe of greater than 2 Int within to
feet to make a Will save with a DC of
10 + the tricksters class level If the
saving throw fails, that foe is treated as
flat-footed uniil the foe's next action.
This ability involves some sort of com -
munication between the trickster and
the target-a Few words, a gesture, and
so on. This is an extraordinary ability.
* Slippery; At and level, gnome
tricksters gain a +2 bonus to Escape
Artist and Tumble checks. This is an
extraordinary ability.
* luskm Expertise; The Trickster can
use his character level rather than his
class level in regards to any level-based
effects of Illusion spells (duration,
range, and so on).
* False Cham: At 3rd level, the
trickster gains a +-2 bonus to his Char¬
isma, This is an extraordinary ability,
trickster in combat can attack a foe
he has already hit that round
as a free action, once per round.
The gnome uses the same attack
bonus used in the attack that
struck the foe. This is an
extraordinary ability.
* Enlarge Ittuskm:
7th level, one of the
Illusion spells the
trickster can cast
is forever treated as
being enlarged, as per the
Spell, though with no modification
level This is a supernatural ability.
* Bonus Illusion; At 8th level,
the trickster gains a bonus Illusion
spell at each spell level known.
This is a supernatural ability,
9 Quickened Ifiyskm; At gfh
level one of the illusion spells
the trickster can cast is forever
treated as being quickened, as
per the feat Quicken Spell, though
with no modification in level This
is a supernatural ability,
* Fade Away: At 10th level the

* Size Combat: At 4th level, the trickster can use a dimension door
trickster gains a +1 competence bonus as a spell-lke ability once per day
to attack all creatures larger than Small as a free action as if he were a
size. This is an extraordinary ability. sorcerer of his trickster class level
* Extended Illusion; At 51 h level
one of the Illusion spells the trickster
can cast is forever treated as being
extended, as per the feat Extend Spell,
though with no modification in level
This is a supernatural ability.
 mm mm
Mi _5
mi
1 ■ JS

Her Majesty’s Secret Servants

by Andy Collins • illustrated by Mike Yilardi

Jack Dav slipped quietly through the shadowy halls of the Grand Viziers
T he Royal Heralds serve as the
eyes and the ears of the Queen,
palace. His fingers had been twitching throughout the length of the Reporting directly to Lord
seemingly endless wedding reception. but patience had won out Now, with Chamberlain Kell Fleming, the Heralds
the palace quiet and the viziers "elite guards^ unconscious behind himt he travel far and wide, gathering informa¬
was finally free to complete his mission. tion as they go. Most people see the
Royal Heralds as little more than a
The lock clicked open under Jacks expert fingers. After moving into the
group of diplomats, messengers, and
viziers private studyr he paused briefly to let his eyes adjust to the
errand-runners, and that's exactly
darkness. A quick glance about the room located the enormous portrait of how the Heralds want it.
the vizier-without the warts of course-thaf according to his intelligence
reports, concealed a secret compartment containing the empires war plans. HISTORY Of THE ROYAL HERALDS
His smile was cut short by a light appearing behind him and the chortle The first Royal Heralds were exactly
that: messengers of the Crown. Over
of the vizier's chief of security. “So, it would appear that we have found a
the years, however, the monarchs of
spy Guards hurt him ” the kingdom had occasional need for a
As Jacks far-from-ceremonial rapier leaped Into his hands he couldn't particularly trusted errand-runner or
help thinking, Thank Pelor for Sergeis fencing lessons! information gatherer. When a wise lord
chamberlain (whose name has been lost
to history) grew fired of repeatedly
recruiting such trustworthy individuals,
he created a network of skilled agents
that would report directly to him. Once
identified and recruited, each new
Herald was Trained in spycrafi and dipio-
macy-at first by the lord chamberlain
himself, and later by the chamberlain's
hand-picked officers and senior agents.
Within a generation, the group's
founder had passed on and been
replaced. But the network of Heralds
lived on, thriving in the kingdom s

82 annual 2ooo
climate of political intrigue. As time
passed, the organization continued to
grow. While occasional lapses in secu¬
rity have threatened to pull away the
Heralds’ cover of secrecy, they have
managed time and again to turn crises
into opportunities.
Today, no one person knows all the
Heralds' identities, but it Is believed that
the group numbers over two hundred.
Lord Chamberlain Kell Fleming retains
his leadership of the Heralds, though he
secretly realizes that even he is no
longer fully in control of his network
of spies and agents,
HERALD RESPONSIBILITIES
The chamberlain assigns some Heralds
for “internal duties " meaning that they
restrict their activities to within the
kingdom. These Heralds watch for
potential insurgency, foreign spies, gov¬
ernment corruption, and other problems
facing the kingdom. They pose as minor
officials, traveling merchants, itinerant
performers, or even adventurers,
depending on the Task and area.
Heralds working within the kingdom
can count on strong support. Most jun¬
ior Heralds work "internal” until they
prove their ability to work Independ¬
ently. They file frequent reports to
their superior officers and are kept on
a short leash.
The majority of Heralds are assigned
to “foreign affairs." These Heralds
travel to other kingdoms far and near,
where they use Iheir formidable skills to
learn the kingdoms' secrets, deliver
clandestine messages, rescue prisoners,
kidnap nobles, or foment discord. Most
carry a title like “emissary" or “ambas¬
sador* that helps get them into foreign
courts. Those working incognito might
pose as traders, wealthy travelers, or
even minor royalty.
Heralds assigned to foreign kingdoms
must rely almost completely on their
own abilities. Only rarely can the Lord
Chamberlain supply any assistance to
these faraway servants. In some cases,
Heralds must go without contact from
home for months or years. Stories per¬
sist of one Herald who posed as a spice
merchant in a distant empire for six
years before he was able to complete
his mission,
REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP
The Royal Heralds accept characters of
all classes, though some—particularly
bards and rogues, with their appropriate
array of class skills—tend to make better
Heralds than others. Still, the Heralds
employ plenty of fighters, monks, and
rangers; a cleric, sorcerer, or wizard
with the right mix of spells can also be
an exceptional Herald. Druids, paladins,
and barbarians tend to make poor
Heralds, though rare exceptions exist.
Ifs rumored that the Lord Chamberlain
employs a few assassins for particularly
devious assignments. The most prized
Heralds, of course, are those who actu¬
ally advance in the herald prestige class.
(See below.)
A Herald’s most important ability
scores are Charisma, Wisdom, and
Dexterity. While Heralds tend to have a
wide range of skills, aptitude in interac¬
tion, detection, and stealth are critical.
Skills such as Bluff, Diplomacy,
Disguise, Forgery, Hide, Listen, Move
Silently, Search, Sense Motive, and
Spot are all important to a good Herald.
Gather Information is a must-if a
Herald can’t dig up rumors, he’ll have
trouble handling missions.
Above all else, a Herald must be
absolutely loyal to the Queen. The Lord
Chamberlain doesn't accept even the
rumor of disloyalty, and he won’t hesi¬
tate to use magical means to confirm
or dispel such suspicions.
PC HERALDS
Obviously, player characters who belong
to the Royal Heralds have a dual alle¬
giance: both to their fellow adventurers
and to the Crown. This can create many
interesting situations, but it shouldn't be
allowed to interfere with the group's
enjoyment. PC Heralds can have a
longer leash than other Heralds-per-
haps the PC is a special operative who
works only occasional missions, or a
“sleeper agent” who waits for a
particular event for activation.
It also isn’t critical that all characters
belong to the Heralds, though any
Heralds in the group should keep either
the organization's motives and activities
relatively quiet or be absolutely certain
of the group s ability to keep secrets.
BENEFITS Of MEMBERSHIP
The chief benefit derived from mem¬
bership in the Royal Heralds is the
authority vested by the Queen. Every
Herald, from the rawest recruit to the
most senior veteran, carries with him
the authority to act in the Queen's best
The Lord Chamberlain,
Kell Fleming
Male human, Gth-lEvel aristocrat/
Gth-level herald
Strength 10 (+0) Fort. Save +5
Dexterity 15 (+2) Ref. Save +9
Constitution 12 (+1) Will Save +13
Intelligence 12 (+1) Alignment Nfi
Wisdom 16 (+3) Speed 30
Charisma 16 (+3} Size Mifflin
Armor Class 12 Melee Attack +B/+3
Bit Points G5 Ranged Attack +1D/+5
Special: Evasion, false alignment, non-
detection, sneak attack +3d6, uncanny
dodge (Dex bonus to AC),
Skills: Bluff +16, Diplomacy +18, Gather
information +13, Intimidate -ho, Listen
+10, Read Lips +5, Search +5, Sense
Motive +13, Spol +9.
Feats: Alertness, improved Initiative,
Quick Draw, Skill Focus (Bluff).
Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven.
Spells Known (5/4/4/.2): o-daze, ghost
sound, guidancet mage hand[ prestidigi¬
tation; change seif, charm person,
glib tongue, message; 2nd- detect
thoughts, invisibility, lords charisma,
suggestion; 3rd-detect scrying, illusory
script
Possessions: +2 dagger, ring of mind
shielding figurine of wondrous power
(silver raven), goggles of night
Background: Kell Fleming was a typical
lazy aristocrat working as an assistant
to the former Lord Chamberlain when
he stumbled across a secret meeting of
the Royal Heralds. Faced with the need
to control the possible leak, the Heralds
decided to recruit Fleming rather than
silence him. To their (and his) good for¬
tune, Fleming took to the work with a
passion and proved a natural at spy-
craft. Over the years, his contacts
among the nobles of the land proved
extremely useful, and when the former
chamberlain died in his sleep two years
ago, the Queen named Fleming as his
successor.
Jherrith Martdrakesson, Former Herald
Male halfling, Sth-level cleric/3rd-level
herald/2n«Tlevel rogue
Strength 8 (-1) Fort. Save
Dexterity 14 (+2) Ref, Save
Constitution 8 (-1) Will Save
Intelligence 10 (+0) Alignment
Wisdom IS {+3) Speed
Charisma 14 {+21 Size
Armor Class 18 Melee Attack +11+2
Hit Points 35 Ranged Attack +10/+5
Special: Evasion, False alignment,
rebuke undead, sneak attack +2d6,
uncanny dodge (Dex bonus to AC),
Skills: Bluff +12, Concentration +4,
Diplomacy +13, Disguise +5, Gather
Information +12, Knowledge (nobility
and royalty) +7, Listen +9, Sense
Motive +11, Speak Language (Dwarven),
Spot +9,
Feats: Alertness, Expertise, Improved
Disarm, Improved Initiative,
Languages: Common, Dwarven,
Hatfling,
Cleric Spells (5/4/3/2): o-guidance
(x2), light, mending, read magic: 1st—
command comprehend languages,
obscuring mist, sanctuary; an6-animal
messenger, silence, zone of truth; 3rd-
cure serious wounds, dispel magic.
Domain Spells; 1st-change self,
entropic shield; 2nd —aid Invisibility;
3rd —nondetection, protection from
elements.
(Jherrth is a cleric of Otidammara; his
domains are Luck and Trickery.)
Herald Spells Known (3/2/1): o-
distract, ghost sound\ mage hand,
open/dose: isr-glib tongue, sleep;
2nd-suggestion.
Possessions; +f short sword, +1 hand
crossbow, 20 +/ bolts, +1 glamered
studded leather, +1 cloak of resistancef
+t ring of protection, ring of mind
shielding, potion of neutralize poison,
potion of cure serious woundsf potion
of baste.
Background: See "‘Enemies” section.
84 annual 2ooo
+G
+11
+12
K
20
M(3J2")
interests and the knowledge that his
actions will be supported by her agents.
This support can take the form of gold,
weapons, magic, supplies, letters of mar¬
que, or royal dispensations, to name a
few. While serving as a Royal Herald, a
character is an extension of the Queen's
own hand and is treated as such.
With that benefit comes a drawback,
however. Despite the support of the
Queen, the Herald must work in com¬
plete secrecy. He cannot share the
knowledge of his responsibility and
authority with those outside the organi¬
zation, nor can he take advantage of his
position for personal gain. He also loses
a measure of personal Freedom, as he
can be ordered to travel hundreds of
miles at a moment's notice.
Still, the Queen rewards those who
serve her well. Royal Heralds who
survive the first few years can enjoy
3 life of moderate luxury, while those
who manage to retire after many years
of service find themselves well com¬
pensated for their loyalty and bravery.
Titles, tracts of land, and cushy
positions among the Queen’s ministers
await the Herald who finally decides to
take if easy.
EMEMIES
As the existence of the Heralds
remains a secret, no group realizes
who is behind the thwarting of their
plans. Still, it is safe to say that most
foreign rulers and governments would
count the Heralds among their enemies.
However, there are those within the
organization whose goals differ from
the Lord Chamberlain's. After many
years of loyal service, veteran Herald
Jherrith Mandrakesson (a cleric of
Olidammara) believes that the Lord
Chamberlain no longer has the Queens
best interests at heart. Deciding to
choose for himself who should be
investigated, what kingdoms should be
sown with discord, and which foreign
royals should be assassinated, Jherrith
has recruited his own secret cell within
the Heralds that he uses to accomplish
missions of his own planning. Some¬
times he even uses these recruits to
thwart the actions of other Heralds,
The twelve rogues, bards, and wiz¬
ards working for Jherrith operate ouf
of an abandoned warehouse near the
docks. So far, Jherrilh has managed to
maintain the group's cover, and the
Lord Chamberlain hasn't connected
recent Herald failures with an organ¬
ized resistance.
ALLIES
Due to their need for secrecy, the Royal
Heralds don't have true allies. Individual
agents often have many contacts,
resources, and safe houses that they
use from time to time during missions.
WITH A TWIST...
If you want a different spin on the
Royal Heralds, here are a few options.
* The Heralds serve the Lord
Chamberlain as his personal secret
police* without any authorization or
knowledge of the Queen. Eventually,
Fleming plans to use his network of
spies and assassins to launch a coup.
* The Heralds don't actually work for
the Lord Chamberlain at all—that's just
what the person who recruited the PCs
wants them to think. In actuality, the
Royal Heralds are an independent
organization dedicated to digging up the
secrets of every kingdom in the region.
DUE TO THEIR NEED
f OR SECRECY. ROYAL HERALDS
PORT RAVE TRUE ALLIES.
with the goal of blackmailing nobles
and fomenting wars for profit.
* Use the Heralds as written, but
assign them to the service of a king¬
dom at war with the PCs1 homeland.
The Heralds can make a great enemy
organization to pit against your PCs,
particularly as the characters become
influential in the kingdom.
ADVENTURE HOOKS
* The PCs are traveling across the
countryside not far From the Queens
Castle and find a dead man lying by the
side of the road. The man, a Royal
Herald working "internal," was killed by
brigands who didn't know his identity.
Though his possessions are gone, he
still carries a small scrap of paper
concealed in the seam of his tunic
(Search check DC 15 to find). The
paper is addressed to the Lord
Chamberlain and bears the Herald’s
final report on a group of rebels
plotting the assassination of a local
dignitary. Curious characters can
investigate the report or deliver it
directly to the chamberlain. This adven¬
ture hook can both introduce the PCs
to the Royal Heralds and give the Lord
Chamberlain some idea of their loyalty
to the Crown.
• The PC members of the Heralds
are assigned to spy on one of the
Queen's ministers. The Lord
Chamberlain suspects the man of being
a traitor to the Crown, but he needs
strong evidence because of the man's
connection to wealthy families. At the
DM s discretion, Fleming’s suspicion
might or might not be well-founded-the
minister might be a spy, a double agent,
or even a patsy for someone looking to
cover up his own illicit activities.
* The only copy of a peace treaty
between the PCs' kingdom and a neigh¬
boring land has gone missing from the
Royal Depository. While the document
in question doesn't contain state secrets
or other valuable information, Its loss
could prove a serious blow to future
talks between the two kingdoms. The
PCs must track down the stolen
document quickly-before word of its
disappearance leaks out-and return it,
intact, to the Lord Chamberlain. The
treaty might have been stolen by some¬
one within the government who wishes
to ruin relations between the two king¬
doms, by an agent of a third kingdom,
or even by a thief who didn't realize
the value of what she now holds.
* One of the senior Heralds assigned
to foreign affairs has been arrested on
charges of treason against the kingdom
to which she is assigned. Though her
true mission remains a secret (for
now), the Heralds cannot risk her
knowledge being disclosed. The Lord
Chamberlain sends the PCs to the for¬
eign kingdom with simple orders: They
must either rescue the imprisoned
Herald (without her captors realizing
her escape is part of an organized plan)
or ensure that she does not live to
divulge her secrets. Good-aligned PCs
might have difficulty with the second
option and must weigh their conscience
against their duty to the Queen.
* Duke Vasily Rasputin, a prominent
nobleman of a neighboring kingdom, Is
Melea Arbrynnen, Royal Herald
female half-elf, IstTevel herald/
Sth-level rope
Strength 10 (+0) fort. Save +2
Dexterity 10 (+3) Ref. Save +10
Constitution 10 (+0) Will Save +5
Intelligence 14 <+2] Alignment LN
Wisdom 13 (+1) Speed 30
Charisma 15 (+2) Size M (5" 4“)
Armor Class 15 Melee Attack +4
Hit Points 25 Ranged Attack +7
Special: Evasion, false alignment, sneak
attack +3d6, uncanny dodge (Dex
bonus to AC, cant be flanked).
Skills: Bluff +it, Diplomacy +7, Gather
Information +iit Hide +12, Listen +13,
Move Silently *12, Read Ups +11,
Search +11, Speak Language (Gnome),
Spot +8.
Feats: Alertness, Dodge, Expertise.
Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven,
Gnome.
Spells Known (a/t): o-distract, wage
hand; 2nd— comprehend languages
Possessions; +i short sword\ +t leather
armor, ring of chameleon power,
potion of fly, potion of cure moderate
wounds, mas ter work hand crossbow,
to bolts.
Background: Mdea Arbrynnen is a
typical mrd-rank Royal Herald. She can
serve as a recruiter for the PCs, an
agent assigned to watch over them, or
a potential double agent pitted against
the PCs.
vocally pushing for his lord to declare
war against the PCs' home nation. The
Lord Chamberlain fears that the lord in
question, a rather weak-willed man,
might soon agree with Vasily's viewpoint
and orders the PCs to assassinate the
duke before war is declared. Of course,
they must carry out their mission wilh
the utmost secrecy-if anyone even sus¬
pects that the PCs’ kingdom is behind the
duke's death, war will resull. This mission
is not appropriate for good-aligned PCs
unless the DM wishes to challenge the
characters' morals and ethics.
The Royal Herald prestige class...

Herald Prestige Class
Class Features
■ Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A
herald is proficient with all simple and
martial weapons, and with light armor.
* Spells: A herald casts arcane spells
from the herald spell list. (See below.)
She casts these spells without needing
to prepare them beforehand or keep a
spellbook. Heralds receive bonus spells
For high Charisma. To cast a spell, a
herald must have a Charisma score of
10 + the level of the spell The Difficulty
Class for a saving throw against a her¬
ald's spelt is to + the spell's level + the
herald’s Charisma modifier. The herald's
effective casting level is equal to her
herald class level.
* False Alignment: A herald of ist
level or higher receives a Will saving
throw against any attempt to discern
her alignment or aura (such as with a
detect good spell or the divine version
of the true seeing spell). The DC of the
saving throw is 10 + the spells level +
the caster's ability modifier. If the saving
Ihrow is successful, the herald can dis¬
guise her alignment with an alignment of
her choice. This is a supernatural ability.
* Sneak Attack: A herald can strike a
vital spot for extra damage. Any time
the herald's target would be denied a
Dexterity bonus to AC (whether her
target actually has a Dexterity bonus or
not), or when the herald flanks the tar¬
get, the herald’s attack deals extra dam¬
age. The extra damage is +id6 at and
level and an additional id£> every two
levels thereafter. This ability is other¬
wise identical to the rogue's sneak
attack and is cumulative with any sneak
attack capability the character has from
other classes.
• Uncanny Dodge: Starting at 3rd
level, the herald gains the extraordinary
ability to react to danger before her
senses would normally allow her to do
so. At 3rd level and above, she retains
her Dexterity bonus to AC (if any)
regardless of being caught flat-footed
or being struck by an invisible attacker.
She still loses her Dexterity bonus to
AC if immobilized. At 7th level, the her¬
ald can no longer be flanked, as she can
react to opponents on opposite sides of
her as easily as she can react to a sin¬
gle attacker This defense denies other
characters the ability to use flank
attacks to sneak attack her The excep¬
tion to this defense is that a rogue at
least four levels higher than the char¬
acter can flank her (and thus sneak
attack her).
The characters herald levels are
cumulative with her levels in any other
class that has the uncanny dodge ability
for the purposes of determining the
character's total uncanny dodge. For
instance, a 6th4evel rogue/gth-level
herald would have uncanny dodge equal
to an nth-level herald.
■ Nondetection: Starting at 5th level,
a herald has a permanent nondetection
effect (as the spell). If a divination is
attempted against the herald or any¬
thing he carries, the caster of the div¬
ination must succeed in a caster level
check bdao + caster level) against a DC
of 15 + the herald's class level This is a
spell-like ability.
* Skill Mastery: At 9th level the her¬
ald selects a number of skills equal to 3
+ her intelligence modifier. When making
a skill check with one of these skills, the
herald can take 10 even if stress and dis¬
tractions would normally prevent her
from doing so. She becomes so certain
in those skills that she can use them reli¬
ably even under adverse conditions.

Table 1: The Herald ___ Hit Die= d6

Fori. Ref. Will Spells
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special 0 1 2 3 4
1 +0 +0 +2 -1-2 False alignment 2 0 - —
2 +1 +0 +3 +3 Sneak attack +id6 3 1 - -
+2 +1 +3 +3 Uncanny dodge (Dex bonus) 3 1 0 —
3
+1 Sneak attack +2d6 3 2 1 — : —•
4 +3 +4 +4
+4 +4 Nonderecrion 4 2 1 0 —
5 +3
6 +4 +2 Sneak attack +3d6 4 2 2 \ —
+5
+2 +5 Uncanny dodge (can’t be flanked) 4 3 2 \ 0
7 +5 +5
8 +6/+1 +2 4-6 +6 Sneak attack +4d6 4 3 2 2 1
+ 6/+T +3 +6 4-6 Skill mastery 4 3 3 2 1
9
10 +7/+2 V +7 Sneak attack +gdS 4 4 3 2 2
+3

86 annual2oou
Table 2: Herald Spells Known N.ew Spells

Spells Known Distract Lord's Charisma

Level 0 1234 Enchantment [Compulsion] Transmutation
1 3 T - - Level: Hrd o Level: Hrd 2
2 4 2 - - - Components: S Components: V, S
3 4 2 i* ~ S4: Casting Time: 1 action Casting Time: 1 action
4 4 3 2 - - Range: Close (25 ft + 5 ft/2 levels) Range: Touch
5 5 3 a r - Target: One creature Target: Creature touched
6 5 332- Duration: One round Duration: 1 hour/level
7 5 4 3 2 1* Saving Throw: Will negates Saving Throw: None
8 5 4332 Spell Resistance: Yes_ Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
9 5 4432 This spell distracts its target for a full The transmuted creature becomes more
10 5 4 4 3 3 round, giving it 3 -to penalty to any personable, charming, and socially
Spot or Listen checks during that time. graceful. The spell grants an enhance¬
^Provided the herald has sufficient The spell is commonly used to give the ment bonus to Charisma of id4+i
Charisma to have a bonus spell of caster the ability to dan across an open points, adding the usual benefits to all
this level. hallway guarded by a sentry or to per¬ uses of the Charisma score modifier.
form a move-equivalent action without No additional bonus spells are granted
being detected. If the creature is cur¬ by the increased ability score.
Requirements rently being threatened or attacked by
To qualify to become a herald, a
you or your allies, however, it receives a Sudden Mastery
+5 circumstance bonus on its saving Transmutation
character must fulfill all the following
criteria: throw. Any act that threatens the dis¬ Level: Hrd 4
Base Arrack: +4 or better tracted creature breaks the spell, as does Components: V, S
Bluff ranks: 4 any attack made against it. Casting Time: 1 action
Diplomacy ranks: 6 Range: Personal
Gather Information ranks: 6 Eagle Eyes Target: You
Transmutation Duration: 10 minutes/level_
Sense Motive ranks: 4
Level: Hrd 3 You gain a +20 competence bonus to a
Special: Must speak at least three
Components: V, S, M single skill of your choice. You can't select
languages.
Casting Time: \ action a skill that is exclusive to another class*
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: 10 minutes/level HERALD SPELL LIST
Saving Throw: None o-Level Spells
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)_ Dancing lights, daze, distract* ghost
The target of This spell gains extraordi¬ sound, guidance, know direction, light,
nary visual acuity. This grants a +20 mage hand\ open/dose, prestidigitation.
bonus to Search and Spot checks for ist-Level Spells
the duration of the spell. Alarmf change self, charm person,
Material Component: A pinch of comprehend languages, endure ele¬
diamond dust (worth 10 gp) sprinkled ments, detect secret doors, glib tongue \
over the target s eyes. messager sleepr spider climb♦
2nd-Levef Spells
Glib Tongue Arcane lock, cats grace, darkness,
Transmutation detect thoughts, invisibility, knock,
Level: Hrd 1 locate object lord's charisma4, silence,
Components: V, S suggestion,
Casting Time: 1 action 3rd-level Spells
Range: Touch Clairaudience/ clairvoyance, darkvision,
Target; Creature touched detect scrying, eagle eyes * hold person,
Duration: to minutes/level illusory script, Leomunds tiny hut, non-
Saving Throw: None detection, shrink Item, tongues.
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)_ 4th-levd Spells
You grant the target of the spell a +4 Discern lies, dimension door, dominate
competence bonus to Diplomacy and person, freedom of movement, legend
Bluff skill checks. This bonus increases fore, modify memory, scrying, sending,
by +2 for every Two levels of the caster speak with dead, sudden mastery *
beyond ist (+6 at 3rd, +8 at 5th, and so
on) to a maximum of +16 at 9th level. * New herald spells <3
 SURE. LET ME GRAB
A VJERTOVJ AND,,.

HMM. A TllRBONIUM TV
®SS DRAGON. Want to «cA,
|> \ r^-TAWR tre
I V. / ^ ^kUEftD,

NttU, —^
NODWKK ! ™ LET ME SAMPLE
THE few- BRWNS Your Simple YET
BEHIND THE l< Offip wii'GNEi
ACNENTURIMG M ME A CYNICAL, I
/ Vou KW0\k>, ppSTYfVtoWL l\ world *weavw /
f 1TSHNRD UIWE U»kED I ASIDE YOU AREj
To fcJJW m> FORWARD *fo 7 „ SO FAMED jrfti'
Vdtt&4 THESE fOR1. SAY T _,
FRAMES fkVt. Tms MEETWtX
a HEnca- 1-tjo SOMEWIW^T "55
J5* SMftHY

r^o/oRcs/ SMAptr- K?mmsjsmvv

SoW ^WCWM^KlBlP1 JOP-TpT LAST
WST MiK A ffcLs.FEU-oTW)1
SWoRD Bh<V! gofS?
5£» THAT B
<Misss>! /

B»D»k B0W>A 4 ©

syuHjuv.

OK.VMN DON'T WF \ wanul roll CHC...WHW

, KIND Of
VJQYJ PM, GVJtETi srMsrnus. scenario lofcl THE 9ftt£T“ \SWtNfe
SVJEEY P\FFftWY„. UoW l UAME OVER. WITH Ml EYE 'mcwtEOi
I Roll _
LONGED ToP TVttS MOMENT, MY to mmx, im DOES TOW©
petite Bichette of Beatif\c EDrnoN
GWE You
, r/?=T\ Beauty... iv WHEN
W) YoDME

CUT IN
HALF,?

©2000 Shetland Productions john@kovatic.com DORK CENTRAL http://kovaiic.com

88 annual2ooo
Give Your Game

Dragon Magazine
Map
Roleplaying Strategy
Dungeon Master Advice
Ne^ D&tD Rules

NEW Adventures for the NEW D&DI

for ALL Levels of Play

Essential Game
Accessories

Fantastic: D£tD Modules

Maps of Mystery
Side Treks—One-Night
Adventures

_395_776° dragon@pcsbublink.com and dungeon @ pcspublink.com

order online at www.wizards.com/dragon/dungeon
Dragon, Dungeon, Dungeons DAD are registered trademarks of Wizards of the Coast. © 2000 Wizards of the Coast
Class Combos
Give ’Em the Old One-Two
by James Wyatt • illustrated by Darrell Riche

The new edition of the DOtD

game allows truly unlimited
multiclassing. There are 55
different two-class
combinations, and when you
consider combinations of up to
four classes, there are 550
total options! In the context of
the game world, people might
think of many of these
combinations as distinct
professions or classes. You can
think of them as a way to make
your character fill a niche that
no one else can.
T here are some multiclass combina¬
tions that are merely simple ways to
get a benefit for your character. On
the surface, these “cheesy multi cl asses”
seem like almost ridiculous attempts to
maximize a character's abilities. Actu¬
ally, these combinations demonstrate the
power and flexibility of D&l DTs multi¬
classing rules, because even these
combinations don't break the game.
While you might gain something you
want from these combinations, you
sacrifice some advantages as well-and
your character remains balanced with
the other PCs in the game.
A Level of Rogue
Starling as a ist-level rogue before
switching to another class gets you a lot
of skill points to start with. You'll also
gain the ability to sneak attack (for +id6
damage) and a good starting Reflex
save, which never hurts. On the other
hand, you'll start with only 6 hit points
(plus your Constitution modifier), which
is less than you’d get with most other
classes. You’ll also notice that with just
one level of rogue, you don't get access
to evasion or uncanny dodge, some of
the rogue’s best abilities.
You’ll also end up wirh more skills
than you can really maintain once you
start advancing levels in another class.
While you might have nine or ten skills
at 4 ranks at ist level (assuming you
have a positive Intelligence modifier),
when you reach and level you can only
raise three or four of them by i rank if
you take a class with only 2 skill points
per level. In other words, you’ll start
with a lot of skills, but you’ll only mas-
ter a few of them in the long run. If
that's what you’re looking for, starting
off with a level of rogue is not a bad
idea, but remember that the ultimate
cost for any “cheesy multiclass’' is
that you'll have one less level of your
second class.
A Level of Fighter
You take a level of rogue for the skill
points, but you take a level of fighter if
it's feats you’re after. This is a good
option: You start off with 10 hit points,

CHAMPION The champion (cleric/fighter) is a martial

priest, taking the combat training of the
single-classed cleric one step further with
occasional levels of fighter. As the name implies, they often serve as the elite mili¬
tary force of a militant temple or a war deity's clergy.
Champions take more cleric levels than fighter levels. This allows them decent
spell access, while still providing them with martial weapons proficiency, extra
feats, and more hit points from the fighter levels.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
{over single-class cleric) (compared to single-class cleric)
* More bit points (on average) - Slower spell progression
* Better base attack • Worse Will saves
* Better Fortitude saves
- Proficiency with all martial weapons
* Four bonus Feats
* Access to weapon specialization
* Access lo fighter class skills

9o annual 2ooo
a bonus feat, and a +1 base attack
bonus. What you lose is skill points,
and, of course, a level of your second
class* You can begin as a fighter and
then multiclass to paladin to help you
mastert sayt the mounted combat feats
earlier than you would otherwise, but
the price you pay is waiting another
level before you get your special mount
(as well as the other class abilities of
the paladin). If you start as a fighter
and then multidass to rogue, your skills
really suffer for want of the bonus
points at ist level. Assuming you have
an above-average Intelligence, youl!
start with four or five skills at 4 ranks
each. When you reach and level and
take your 1st level of rogue, you’ll get g
or to skill points—allowing you just five
or six skills at 5 ranks. If you'd started
as a rogue, you’d have nine or ten skills
at 5 ranks by 2nd level. That really
hurts a rogue, whose skills are one of
her best class abilities,
A Level of Cleric
There's nothing to sneeze at here. Your
whole party will thank you for the extra
healing potential you bring to the
group. You'll start with a decent 8 hit
points (plus your Constitution modifier),
the ability to turn undead, and a
respectable handful of spells to con¬
tribute, whether in combat or for heal¬
ing afterward. As with a level of
fighter, though, you’ll suffer where skill
points are concerned. If you multidass
by taking a class of fighter or another
combat-oriented class, you’ll miss the +1
WIZARD OR SORCERER?
The s pel (File her and spell sword are multi cl ass arcane spe I Icasfers—rogues and fighters,
respectively. The sample level progressions use the wizard class as the spellcasting class for
both of these multi classes. The main reason For this is that multi classing already slows down
She process of gaining new spell levels, and advancing as a sorcerer instead of a wizard
would only compound that effect. Also, a sorcerer’s slightly better weapon selection offsets
one of the primary benefits of taking another ciassr making the sacrifices a little harder
because the payoff is slightly smaller. Otherwise, sorcerer is not at all a had choice for these
multidass combinations, particularly since they tend to focus on a small selection of core
spells anyway.
base attack bonus and the extra feat ICONIC MULTICLASSES
you might have had if you had started While the "cheesy mulficlasses” are
as a fighter. ways to gain a slight edge for your
character, iconic multiclasses are class
A Level of Sorcerer combinations that represent a distinct
You probably won’t want to start your character archetype, in the same way
character as a sorcerer with the inten¬ the eleven standard classes do. These
tion of advancing primarily in another iconic multfclasses include the champion
class. Starting with only 4 hit points, (deric/flghter), nature’s champion
even with a high Constitution, is quite a (druid/ranger), scout (ranger/rogue),
drawback for a fighter-type, and 2 skill skald (barbarian/bard), spellfilcher
points hurts a rogue-to-be. Still, sor¬ (rogue/ wizard or sorcerer), spe 11 sword
cerer is not a bad class to pick up at (fighter/wizard or sorcerer), and the
2nd level—you’ll get a handful of useful trac ke r (b a r bar ran / ra nger).
spells that you can cast many times. Each ’Iconic multidass" has a sug¬
Pick those spells carefully, since they’ll gested level progression that maximizes
need to be as useful to you when the benefits from each class. An even
you’re ioth level as they are at 2nd level progression is often not the best
level You can also get a familiar, plan, particularly when spellcasting
though it won’t advance as it would if classes are involved. However, if nei¬
you were gaining sorcerer levels. As ther class is a character's racially
usual, the price you pay for all this favored class, a more even level pro¬
extra flexibility is the levels you would gression is a good idea. The level pro¬
otherwise have gained in another gressions offered are suggestions only.
class-along with the hit points, skill
points, spells, and the other class fea¬
tures of your second class.

CHARACTER CHOICES Character Class Avg

RpF Will
Fighters and clerics have the same skill point allot¬
ment (2 + Ini modifier per level.), but there is little i Err t +1 42 40 40 10 Martial weapon proficiency.
overlap between the class skills of the two classes. bonus fighter feat
Mosl champions begin with fighter class skills like 2 Ftr i/Clr 1 +6 44 40 +2 14 0- and 1st-level spells, turning
Climb, Jump, and Swim, and they advance these 3 Ftr i/Clr 2 +2 ±5 40 *3 i8 Feat
skills only when they gain fighter levels. They then 4 Ftr i/Cir 3 +3 +5 41 +3 22 2nd-levd spells, ability increase
lag behind their maximum ranks in clerical skills like 5 Ftr 2/Clr 3 +4 46 +1 +3 27 Bonus fighter feat
Knowledge (religion) and Spcllcrafi. 6 Ftr 2/Clr 4 +5 +7 +1 ±4_J3 L Feat
Champions tend to focus on combat-oriented 7 Ftr 2/Clr 5 *5 +7 41 44 35 3rd-level spells
rather than m eta magic or item creation feats. 8 Ftr 3/Clr 5 +6/+1 +7 42 +5 40 Ability increase
Some do take Extra Turning, and a few maximize 9 Ftr 3/Clr 6 +7./+2 48 +3 46 4d Feat
the combat effectiveness of their spells with me ta¬ 10 Ftr 3/Clr 7 +S/+3 +8 +3 46 48 4th-levd spells
rn agio feats like Maximize Spell and Empower Spell. ti Ftr 4/Clr 7 +9/44 +9 +3 46 53 Bonus fighter feat.
To cover their weak Reflex saves, many champions weapon specialization
also choose Lightning Reflexes. Even so, feats like 12 Ftr 4/Clr 8 -r IO/45 410 43 +7 J}7 Feat, ability increase
Weapon Focus, Power Attack, and Weapon *3 Ftr 4/Clr 9 4l0/+5 410 44 +7 61 5th-levd spells
Specialization are the champion's favorites. M Ftr 5/Clr 9 +ti/+6/+t 410 44 +7 66
15 Ftr 5/Clr 10 412/47/42 411 4& ?Q Fear
16 Ftr 5/Clr 11 4*3/48/43 411 44 48 74 Gthdeve! spells, ability increase
'7 Fir 6/Clr 11 414/49/44 412 +5 *9 79 Bonus fighter feat
18 Ftr 6/Clr 12 415/410/45 +l3 4& 410 83 Feat
19 Ftr 6/Clr 13 415/410/45 46 410 87 7th-level spells
20 Ftr 6/Cfr 14 +i6/+tt/+6/+t +14 46 +n 91 Ability increase
 NATURE’S What the champion is to temples, the
natures champion (druid/ranger) is to

CHAMPION druidic circles: a priestly figure with

extensive combat training. They mifitantly
guard their territories and hunt down enemies of their circles.
Nature's champions choose more druid levels than ranger, maximizing their
druid spell progression while gaining the key benefits of the ranger class.

ADVANTAGES
(over single-class druid)
» More hit points (on average)
* Better base attack
* Better Fortitude saves
■ Class abilities: two-weapon fighting. Track,
favored enemies, ranger spells
* Access to ranger class skills
DISADVANTAGES
(compared to single-class druid)
- Slower access to spell levels, maximum
8th-leve1 spells
* Slower wild shape progression
* Weaker Wifi saves

Whether surveying unfamiliar terrain,

assessing an enemy’s defenses, or prepar¬
ing an ambush, scouts (ranger/rogues)
combine stealth and combat prowess to deadly effect. They often serve as elite
military forces, but they are just as effective in an adventuring party.
Scouts advance levels in their two classes evenly, balancing the abilities of
each class. With each rogue level, the scout gains valuable skill points, sneak
attack, and other benefits, while each ranger level increases the base attack bonus
and hit points.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
(over single-class rogue) (compared to single-class rogue)
* More bit points (on average) * * Slower access to class abilities
* Better base attack
■ Better Fortitude saves
* Class abilities: two-weapon fighting. Track,
favored enemies, ranger spells
* RogueTs skill points and class skills overlap
where it counts: Hide. Listen, Move Silently,
Search. Spot

SKALD Skalds (barbarian/bards) are epic story¬

tellers, an inspiration to their companions,
and accomplished combatants. They
are the lorekeepers of barbarian tribes-historians, entertainers, sometimes
even chieftains.
Skalds advance their levels in both classes evenly. The skill-based nature of the
bardic music class ability allows skalds to get full use of that ability even when
advancing barbarian levels.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
(over single-class bard) (compared to single-class bard)
* More hit points (on average) ■ Slower access to most class abilities and
* Better base attack bard spells
* Better Fortitude saves * Other skills suffer for the sake of Perform

92 annual 2ooo
CHARACTER CHOICES ■tVJl 1■
Druids and rangers have I he same skill point allot¬ 1 :f- ||Rgr 1 fi pp +2 +□ +0 10 Track, favored enemy, two-weapon fighting
ment per level (4 + Inr mod) and a nearly identical 2 HgRgr r/Drd 1 +1, 8 +4 +0 0 and ist-level spells, nature sense
’4
list of class ski Us. Most natures champions avoid 3 > jpiRgr i/Drd 2 +2 - "V -• +.5 *0 +3 JL Woodland stride, feat
skills that are class skills for only one of their '4. vTT gRgr i/Drd 3 *3 +t +3 22 znd-level spells, trackless siep.
classes, choosing instead to maximize thetr ranks in @11 ability increase
the skills that are common to both classes—key 5 1| Rgr z/Drd 3 H- +1 +3 27
l+fi
nature skills like Animal Empathy, Handle Animalf 6 ||| Rgr 2/Drd 4 H *7 +1 +4 Resist nature’s lure. Feat
.........
In I u it Direclion, Knowledge (nature ), and 7 Rgr 2/Drd 5 +5 : : TO +7 +1 *4 35 3rd-level spells, wild shape (t/day)
Wilderness Lore. 3 glRgi-3/Drd 5 I+6/+1 i+7 +2 +5 40 Ability increase
Most nature’s champions find that the ranger’s ff 111 Rgr 3/Ord 6 wjjrji+z HI +3 +6 44 Wild shape (2/day), feat
free Feats—Trackf Two-Weapon Fighting, and 10 gPg^/Drd 7 i +S/+3 pFTs“ +3 +6 48 4th-level spells, wild sh3pe (3/d ay)
Ambidexterity-a re all the combat feats they need, 11 KgRgr 4/Drd 7 +$/+4 Ijl +9 +3 +6 53 isi-level ranger spells
focusing on m eta magic and item creation feats 52 j Rgr 4/Drd 8 ]+fo/+5 ||||§ +3 *7 57 Wild shape (Large), fear, ability increase
instead. They have a reputation as prolific brewers *3 . jRgr 4/Drd 9 j^tio/+5 ® +1° +4 *7 gth-level spells, venom immunity
of potions. pRgr 5/Drd 9 : ; +to +4 +7 06 Second favored enemy
■Rgr q/Drri to . +11 +4 +8 70 Wild shape (4/day), feat
16 ; p Rgr S/Drd 11 -H3/+8/+3 || +” +4 +8 ; ■ 6th-leve! spells, wild shape (Tiny),
ability increase
m H«r 5/Drd e |pj/+g/+4 +5 '!) Wild shape (dire), Feat
18 %r 5/Drd i3p4/+9/+4 H +12 *5 >9 -W 7th-level spells, a thousand faces
[//Rgr 5/Drd 14^15 -10/^5 M +13 +5 +ip 86 Wild shape (5/day)
50 Pgr 5/Drd T5 |+tS/+u/+;8/H t| +13 +6 +10 90 Bth-level spells, wild shape (Huge),
Wm timeless body, ability Increase
Character Class Avg
CHARACTER CHOICES ■J! Ill [s-FP
Rogues have many more skill points than rangers, Rog 1 +G +0 Sneak attack +id6, skills!
so most scouts focus on a selection of skills that Rgr i/Rog t -h +2 +0 Track, two-weapon fighting,
are class skills for both classes. Starting as a rogue martial weapons, favored enemy
at 1st level means that a scout can have maximum Rgr i/Rog 2 Evasion, feat
*3
ranks in these skills and a good selection of others. Rgr 2/Rog 2 +0 Ability increase
4 *3 +3 +3 *9
When advancing a ranger level, the scour can Rgr 2/Rog 3 +1 22 Uncanny dodge (dex bonus),
5 +4 +4 +3
improve these core skills; when advancing a rogue sneak attack +2d6
level, she can improve all her skills. 6 Rgr 3/Rqg 3 +2 Feat
+5 +4 +4
A scout's ranger class gives her three free +6/+1 +5 +2
7 Rgr 3/Rog 4 +4 3°
Peats: Track, Two-Weapon Fighting, and 8 Rgr 4/Rog 4 +7/+2 +2 ist-level spells, ability increase
*5 +5 35
Ambidexterity, Most scouts focus on the archery +7/+2 ■1-5 +2 Sneak attack +3d6, feat
9 Rgr 4/Rog 5 +5 3l
feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Far Shot, 10 Rgr 5/Rog 5 +S/+3 +2 Second favored enemy
+5 +5 43
Rapid Shot, and Shot on the Run. Some prefer u Rgr 5/Rog 6 +9/4-4 +6 +6 46 Uncanny dodge (can't be hanked)
+3
feats that pur their Dexterity to good use and +4
15 Rgr 6/Rqg 6 *W+5_ +7 +7 Ability increase, feat
compensate for the light armor they prefer, like Rgr 6/Rog 7 Sneak attack +4d6
■3 +11/+6/+1 +7 +7 +4 54
Dodge and Mobility. 14 Rgr 7/Rog 7 +12/+7/+2 +7 +7 +4 59
15 Rgr //Rog 8 +13/+8/+3 +7 +8 +A 62 Feat
36 Rgr 8/Rog 8 +14/+9/44 +8 +8 +4 67 2nd-level spells, ability increase
l7 Rgr 8/Rog 9 +14/+9/+4 +8 +5 7° Sneak attack +5d6f feat
r8 Rgr 9/Rog 9 +i5/+io/+5 +9 +9 +6 75
19 Rgr g/Rog 10 +1B/+11/+6/+1 +9 +10 +6 78 Rogue special ability
20 Rgr to/Rogio +tj/ +W+//+2 +10 +10 +6 ®3 Third favored enemy, ability increase

1 Character Class Avg ■gl

CHARACTER CHOICES Fort Wmi mm ho
The key skill for a skald, as for a bard, is Perform. Bbn 1 +1 +2 +0 +0 12 Rage i/day, fast movement
1
Though most skalds begin as barbarians (the extra Bbn i/Brd 1 +1 +2 +2 +2 Bardie music (inspire courage, countersong,
2 15
6 hit points are too hard to pass up), they still gen¬ fascinate), bardic knowledge, o-level spells
erally start with a ranks in Perform (using all of Bbn 2/Brd 1 +2 +3 +2 +2 21 Inspire competence, uncanny dodge, feat
3
their skill points except any gained from Bbn 2/Brd 2 ist-level spells, ability increase
4 *3 +3 +3 +3 24
Intelligence) and keep it as high as possible after Bbn 3/Brd 2 +4
5 +3 +4 +4 3°
that. At and level. Perform hecomes a class skill 6 Bbn 3/Brd 3 +5 +4 Suggestion* feat
*4 +4 33
and a skald can buy 3 more ranks in it, bringing if 7 Bbn 4/Brd 3 +6/+1 +4 +4 Rage 2/d ay
+5 39
to the maximum of 5 ranks. From that point on. a S Bbn 4/Brd 4 +y/+2 and-level spells, ability increase
+5 +5 +5 4*
skald should increase Perform by 1 rank every Bbn 5/Brd 4 +5 4s Inspire greatness, uncanny dodge
9 +S/+3 +5
level-using 2 skill points when gaining a barbarian (can't be flanked), feat
level, but only 1 when gaining a bard level. While 10 Bbn 5/Brd 5 +5
+S/+3 +5 +5 55
skalds" other skills suffer, these characters are as 8 bn 6/8 rd 5 +g/+4 +6 +6 +6 57
effective with their bardic music ability as single- Bbn 6/Brd 6 +7 60 Ability increase, feat
12 +10/+5 LtZ *7
classed bards. Bbn 7/Brd 8 +ii/+6/+i +7 6b
13 +7 +7
Since skalds rend to focus more on combat than j Bbn 7/Brd 7 +12/+7/+2 3nd-level spells
14 +7 +7 +7 69
magic, they tend to choose combat-related feats- ■ Bbn 8/Brd 7 +13/+8/+3 +8 Rage 3/day, feat
>5 *7 +7 75
Dodge, Mobility, Power Attack, Cleave—rather than 36 ;Bbn 8/Brd 8 +14/+9/+4 +8 +8 +8 Ability increase
78
metamagic or item creation feats. Using metamagic ; Bbn g/Brd 8 +15/+10/+5 +8 84 Feat
I? +9 +9
feats on a bard spell turns it into a full-round i8 Bbn g/Brd 9 +15/+10/+5 +9 +9 +9 J7.
action, and most skalds don't care to waste that Bbn 10/Brd g +16/+11/+6/+1 +10 Uncanny dodge (+1 vs. traps)
*9 +9 +9 93
much time. Some skalds do learn Extend Spell, so 20 Bbn 10/Brdm +I7/+J2/+7/+2 +10 +10 +10 gB 4thdevd spells, ability increase
they can cast spells to aid their allies before com¬
bat begins and ensure that those spells will last the
duration of the battle.

93
 SPELLF11CHER Combining stealth through skill with stealth
through magic, the spellfEtcher (rogue/wiz-
ard) is the consummate thief. Magic can
penetrate defenses that would foil an ordinary burglar. Some speltfilchers concen¬
trate on mundane prizes-gold, gems, and objects of art—but more commonly, they
target magic items or even wizards’ spellbooks, hence their name.
Spellfilchers advance primarily as wizards, taking rogue levels only occasionally
to boost skill points while getting as many spells as possible.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
[over single-dass wizard) (compared to singfe-dass wizard)
* More hit points (on average) * Worse Will save
* Better base attack * Slower access to metamagic feats and
► Better Reflex saves high-level spells
* Rogue co its bar effectiveness: weapon
proficiency, light armor, sneak attacks,
evasion, and uncanny dodge
* More skill points and class skills for thievery

SPELLS WORD Weaving magic with martial prowess,

speliswords (fighter/wizards) fill many
roles, Speliswords often support military
units, while others use their magic to make magic items they can use in combat.
Some speliswords concentrate on touch attack spells and unarmed combat, while
others focus on archery and long-range attack spells.
Most speliswords advance their spellcasrmg class faster rhan their fighter class
to gain high-level spells more quickly.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
(over single-class wizard) (compared to single-class wizard)
* More hi! points (on average) * Worse Will save
* Better base attack * Slower access to bonus wizard feats and
* Better Fortitude saves high-level spells
■ Fighter combat effectiveness: weapon and
armor proficiency [most wear only light armor),
four bonus combat Feats

TRACKER The tracker (barbarian/ranger) is a master

of wilderness lore. Whether finding quarry
for the tribe s hunters or stalking more
intelligent prey, the tracker is at home in the wild, and shares its primal fury.
In order to get the most of both classes’ abilities, trackers advance levels in both
classes evenly-beginning with barbarian for the hit points.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
(over single-class ranger) (compared to single-class ranger)
* More hit points (on average) * Slower access to class abilities and ranger spells
* Better Fortitude saves
* Barbarian class abilities: rage, fas! movement,
uncanny dodge
- Shared skills like Handle Animal, Intuit Direction,
Listen, and Wilderness Lore

94 a nnu uJ 2boo
 Character Class Avg
im
CHARACTER CHOICES
Sneak attack ndG, weapon proficiency
Spellfilchers use spells when they can {invisibility. llRog1 +0 +0 +2 +0 6
2 ^®Rog i/Wiz ! +0 +0 +2 42 8 0 and ist-level spells, familiar,
Silence, knock), often in preference to skills (Hide,
Scribe Scroll
Move Silently, Open Lock), Therefore, they use
3 Rog i/Wiz 2 f +1 +0 +2 10 Feat
their Rogue skill points on Bluff, Climb, Disable +3
Device, Escape Artist, Forgery, Gather Information, 4 Rog i/Wiz 3 ■H +1 +3 +3 12 2nd-level spells, ability increase

5 Rog 2/Wiz 3 +2 +! +4 +3 15 Evasion

and Pick Pocket. Since They Take comparatively few
Rog 2/Wiz 4 +3 , +1 +4 +4 37 Feat
rogue levels and receive fewer skill points as wiz¬
7 " Rog a/Wiz 5 *3 4-1 +4 +4 f ’9 ^rd-level spells, bonus wizard feat
ards. spellfilchers never master all of these skills
and usually concentrate in a few, Rog 3/Wii 5 +4 4-2 +4 +5 | 22 Uncanny dodge (Dex bonus),
sneak attack +2d6, ability increase
Spellfilchers love the metamagic feats Silent
Rog 3/Wiz 6 +5 __ +3 +5 +6 . Feat
Spell, Still Spell, and Quicken Spell. Though their 9
spell progression is slower than that of a single- TO Rog 3/Wiz 7 +5 +3 +5 +6 I 26 4th-leve1 spells
n Rog 4/Wtz 7 +6/+1 +3 +6 +6
class wizard, they still gain higher-level spells
12 Rog 4/Wiz 8 1 H7/+2 +6 +7 .3.1 Feat, ability increase
quickly enough to make these feats worthwhile.
Rog 4/Wiz 9 j +7A2 +4 +7 +7 33 5rh-level spells
They are not inclined towards item creation, bur ^3
■4 Rog 5/Wiz g Tr7/+2 +4 +7 +7 3& Sneak attack +gd6
love Spell Mastery, as it allows them to prepare
!5 Rog 5/Wiz io *8/+3 +4 +7 +8 38 Bonus wizard fear, feat
spells even when captured and imprisoned.
; Rog 5/wiz n +8/+3 +4 +7 +8 40 6th-level spells, ability increase
17 §Rog 6/Wiz 11 +9/+4 +5 +8 +9 43 Uncanny dodge (can't be flanked.)
18 '" Rog 6/Wiz 12 + 10/+5 +6 49 +10 : 47 Feat
Rog 6/Wiz 13 ; +T0/-+5 +6 49 +10 49 7th-level spells
T9
so Rog 6/Wiz 14 +11/+G/41 46 +9 +ii 1 51 Ability increase
OR Rog 7/Wiz 13 +it/+6/+i +6 +9 +30 ; 52 Sneak attack +4d6, ability increase
| Character Class Avg
v. 11 r- ■ HIMmbWill
* j 11 m
CHARACTER CHOICES
1 Ftr 1 41 42 40 +0 to Weapon and armor proficiency,
Fighters and wizards have the same allotment of
bonus fighter feat
skill points but almost no overlap in class skills.
2 Ftr i/Wiz 1 +1 42 +0 +2 12 0 and ist-level spells, Scribe Scroll
Some spells words purchase Spdlcraft or
3 Fit i/Wiz 2 +2 42 +0 +3 14. Feat
Concentration as cross-class skills at tst level,
A Fir i/Wiz 3 +2 +3 +1 +3 l6 2nd-level spells, ability increase
while others buy multiple ranks when They take
5 Ftr 2/Wiz 3 +3 +4 +1 +3 21 Bonus fighter feat
their first wizard level (at their and character
6 Ftr 2/Wiz 4 +4 +4 +1 +4 23 Feat
level). They generally try to find a balance between
Ftr 2/Wiz 5 +4 44 +1 +4 *s 3rd-level spells, bonus wizard feat
skills that are useful to wizards and more physical 7
8 Ftr 3/Wiz 5 +5 44 +2 +5 30 Ability increase
skills* like Jump and Climb.
9 F\r 3/Wiz 6 +6/+T 45 +3 +6 .3,2. Feat
Likewise, spells words choose metamagic and
to Ftr 3/Wiz 7 +6/+t +5 +3 +6 34 4th-level spells
item creation feats as well as combat feats. Since
ti Ftr 4/Wiz 7 +7/+a 4-6 +3 +6 39 Bonus fighter feat, weapon specialization
both of their classes bestow bonus feats, this bal¬
12 Ftr 4/Wiz 8 +8/+3 +6 +3 +7 41 Feat, ability increase
ance is not so difficult to attain. Combat Casting is
Ftr 4/Wiz g +8/+3' +7 +4 +7 43 gth-levd spells
virtually a requirement For these battle mages, and T3
■4 Ftr 5/Wiz 9 +g/+4 +7 +4 +7 <ts
mosr choose Weapon Specialization al nth level.
Ftr 5/Wiz to +10/+5 +7 +4 +8 50 Bonus wizard feat, feat
Since most spells words have high Intelligence 15
16 Ftr 5/Wiz n +10/+5 +7 +4 +8 5£ 6th-level spells, ability increase
scores, they fight intelligently and take advantage
17 Ftr 6/Wiz it +u/+6/+3 48 *5 +9 57 Bonus fighter feat
of the feats Expertise, Improved Disarm, and
iS Fir 6/Wiz 1? +I2/+7/4:2 ■ ' +9 +6 410 59 Feat
Improved Trip.
19 Ftr 6/Wiz 13 +12/+7/+.z ! *9 +6 +10 6t 7th-level spells
20 Ftr 6/Wiz 14 4T3/+8/+3 +9 +6 +11 63 Ability increase

1 Character Class Av£

1
CHARACTER CHOICES 1 1 IzRhI
Trackers focus on skills that maximize their effec¬ r Bbn 1 +1 42 +0 +0 12 Rage, fast movemenl
tiveness in the wild, particularly Wilderness Lore, 2 Bbn f/Rgr 1 +2 +4 +0 40 17 | Track, two-weapon fighting.
which is a class skill for both the barbarian and favored enemy
ranger. Other favored skills include Intuit Direction, Bbn 2/Rgr 1 +3 +0 +0 23 Uncanny dodge (dex bonus), feat
3 L±5
Search, and Spot. 4 Bbn 2/Rgr 2 +4 +6 40 +0 28 Ability increase
Trackers, like scouts, often master archery feats 5 Bbn 3/Rgr 2 +5 46 +1 +1 34
like Point Blank Shot, Far Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid a Bbn 3/Rgr 3 4-6/+1 4-6 +2 +2 39 Fear
Shot, and Shot on the Run. Alertness, Dodge, Bbn 4/Rgr 3 +?Az *7 +2 +2 45 Rage 2/day
I Mobility, and (occasionally) Improved Two-Weapon
7
a Bbn q/Rgr 4 +S/+3 +8 +2 +2 5° ist-level spells, ability increase
Fighting are other favorites. 9 Bbn 5/Rgr 4 +9/+4_ 48 +2 +2 Uncanny dodge (can’t be flanked), feat
10 Bbn 5/Rgr 5 -HO 5 A 48 +2 +2 61 Second favored enemy
n Bbn 6/Rgr 5 +I1/46/+1 49 +3 +3 67
12 Bbn 6/Rgr 6 412/+7/+2 410 +4 +4 Ability increase, Feat
>3 Bbn 7/Rgr 6 +13/+S/+3 i 410 +4 +4 7*
14 Bbn 7/Rgr 7 +T4/49/+4 +10 44 +4 fi3
Bbn 8/Rgr 7 +15A10/+5 411 +4 +4_ 19 Rage 3/day, feat
is
16 Bbn 8/Rgr 8 +i6/*it/+6/+i + 12 +4 +4 94 2nd'4cvcl spells, ability increase
Bbn y/Rgr 8 -1-17A12/4-7/4-2 1 +12 +5 +5 TOO Feat
*;7
18 Bbn 9/Rgr 9 +l8/ -M 3/4-8/4-3 _ + 12 +6 +6 J£5
Bbn 10/Rgr 9 +19/+14/+9A4 p3 +6 +6 M3 Uncanny dodge (+1 vs. traps)
*9
20 Bbn 10/Kgno +20/4-15/4-10/ +5ii +|4 +6 +6 tl6 Third favored enemy, ability increase
 Creature Codex:
NOTHING
ID FEAR
THE ECOLOGY OF THE FEYR
hissed Baron Wolf. "Have
you found the La kite scum
who strangles my citizens in
the night?"
"My lord, the investigation continues."
“‘Continues,5 Blackmon?" roared the
Baron, punctuating the outburst with a
fist on his desk, Tm not paying you to
dally about and continue' your investi¬
gation. fm paying you to get results,
and get them quickly!”
The Baron's First Minister bit back a
response and instead locked a granite
smile on his face, saying: “While I am
pursuing numerous avenues, my ford,
there is someone I want you to meet.
A specialist with an alternate theory
about the rash of strangulations"
“Does he share your absurd views?"
“Does he want to find the murderer
and not simply blame the Lakite minority
in our city? Yes."
“Don't waste my time "
“Please, sir. You really should hear
him out"
The Baron growled an obscenity that
wasn't an explicit refusal, so Blackmon
signaled a guard to lead his guest into
the Baron's office.
“This, my lord, is Arnold Xavier
Benedict. Previously, he was affiliated
i iti g*ime terms, whenever a spell is cast lhaf
directly manipulates emotion (spells like fear,
emotion, or cause fear), there is a \% chance
per level of the spell that a feyr egg is pro¬
duced. Thus, I he Fear spell cast by a wizard has
a 4% chance of creating an egg.
Note that charm spells do not meet this crite¬
rion as they change the larger g attitude about
the easier, nor the target's entire emotional state,
z, Feyr eggs arc transparent, jelly like beads.
A character looking for one must make a
96 annual2ooo
by Kevin N. Haw • illustrated by Dennis Cramer
with the Naturalists' Guild of Elfmist
City, but he recently moved to our town.
He is an expert on a creature that
might be responsible for the killings,”
“Why, yes," rasped the elderly
scholar* interrupting the First Minister.
“1 study the feyr, sir. Pleased to make
your acquaintance."
The Baron looked down at the old
mans outstretched hand, the contempt
on his face showing how he felt about
touching a commoner.
Tr " mumbled Lord Blackmon, stand¬
ing between the pair and brushing aside
the offending hand. “Just skip the pre¬
liminaries and tell him your theory about
the murders."
"Of course. Well, to begin with* the
feyr is a poorly documented creature
at best—"
“Wait!" snapped the baron. uWhar
poppycock are you selling? Why do
you speak of fear as if ifs a beast?”
"Because, in this case* that's exactly
what it is.”
Baron Wolf was rarely at a loss for
words, yet the sage's reply had
achieved exactly that. Benedict contin¬
ued into the silence.
“You see, you confuse the two terms,
Baron. As you said, 'fear1 is an emotion.
Search check (DC 17) Id find it. Anything less
than ideal conditions (clean, level floor, good
lighting, and so on) increases Ihe difficulty of
The check to DC 25 or more,
3. Rough handling (using a broom ro sweep one up,
picking one up with hands rather Shan iweezers.
and so forth) has a 25% chance of destroying
the eggs. Also, they must be nourished with the
emotions of Iwenfy or more fearful or angry
people within 50 feet before zdq days pass or
they spoil. As indicated in the text. prisons and
a power that grips us when the situa¬
tion is dire. Some conquer it, some
succumb to it* but even the bravest
know its touch. A ‘feyr/ on the other
hand, is a creature made From that
emotion, nourishing itself with the stuff.
It's a parasite, a hunter, a killer. And
Baron, it is something you don't want
running about your city.”
“Yes, l believe I've heard Blackmon
suggest something like this in the past.
What makes you think this is what's
happening in Opaltown?"
“Well* I would be more sure if you
would help by answering some ques¬
tions. The Lakttes began settling in your
city two years ago. Refugees from a
civil war, as I understand it,”
“Regrettably/5 grumbled the Baron.
“A curse they've been too, with their
bizarre rituals and Foreign ways. When
they first arrived I imposed a curfew
and gave them some land near the dump
to keep them from soiling the rest of the
town. When the murders began three
weeks ago* the culprit was obviously
Lakite, so I imposed greater restrictions.
I'd hoped someone would come forward
with the name of the killer* but they
remained silent* showing no gratitude to
those who gave them a new home.”
asylums make Ideal hatcheries.
4. $w the “fear immunity” listing in the appendix
to this article for information about how spells
that inflict or counter fear affect a feyr,
5. 3-m the Attached Appendix for statistics on the
larval feyr,
6. Except for Absorbing emotions from other crea¬
tures or eatipg their kin. which are rich in
stored emotional energy, a Feyr never takes any
other form of nourishment,
7. Once slain, a leaser or greater feyr s body
 "Intriguing,” said the sage, “but I'm
more interested in what skills these
refugees brought with them,”
"Well,” said Lord Blackmon, "The
Lakites are renowned for their glass-
work and pottery* The taxes on that
trade have been a boon for the city
coffers* They also brought scores of
wizards and priests, who freely con¬
tribute their skills for the city’s good ”
"Yes,” nodded the scholar, “Magical
activity, or rather magical accidents, are
required for a feyr’s egg to be created.
Certain spells, especially those manipu¬
lating emotion, create a spark in the
ether when they're miscast. Into that
gap, through a process I’m still studying,
a feyr egg sometimes forms.”
"So, an egg appears and plops to
the floor of a wizards workshop, eh?"
laughed the Baron, "Now that’s a
miscast spell!”
"It’s not like that, sir,” corrected the
scholar. “A feyr egg looks nothing like a
hen's* They’re tiny, smaller than a rice
grain* The eggs are almost insubstantial,
invisible in all but the brightest light. One
ancient text calls them 'ghost eggs”'4
"You said feyrs feed on emotion ”
"Yes, my lord ” interrupted Blackmon*
Tve read works by Master Benedict
and other scholars, and they indicate
that magic only creates the egg* It is
emotion that allows it to mature. The
egg is very fragile, though. If harsh
light hits it or if it isn't nourished within
a few days, it withers away”3
"The First Minister is right, Baron,”
said the scholar* “If, however, a draft
picks the egg up and blows it like a
speck of dust, it might land in more
fertile ground. Stuck to the eaves of a
tenement building or in a shadowy cor¬
ner of a poorhouse, it has a chance to
mature. As long as there are anxious
or fearful people nearby, the egg is
nourished, and a larval feyr will hatch*4
For years we had that problem in
I Elfmist City until the town council
moved the weekly Mages' Bazaar to a
deflates like a balloon, releasing noxious fumes
over a ao-foot radius that linger for id6 rounds
Anyone inhaling the fumes must make a Will
save (DC 15} or suffer the fear arrack from rhe
beast. The deflated skin of the feyr dissolves
into dusl 3d6 rounds after the beast's death* At
the DM's discretion, the gas and skin might be
of value in the fabrication of emotion control¬
ling potions or items. Safely capturing the gas
and preventing the decay of the skin, however,
might prove difficult*
This is as close as anyone should ever want to get to a feyr.
location downwind of the asylum.”
“Larva? What do they look like?”
"TheyYe relatively small, perhaps half
a foot long, and they look like large
worms with a forked tail. They’re light¬
weight and can climb walls easily.
Although they feed on fear, their
ability to cause it in other animals is
quite minimal/
"Once they mature, they reach their
adolescent form, commonly known as a
lesser feyr,' The body changes shape to
a sphere two feet in diameter white the
Forked tail becomes a pair of tentacles
that it uses to crawl about. During this
time the creature is ravenous, feeding
on emotion both directly and by de-
vouring its siblings.0 The hunger is never
sated, though. The beast haunts the
night, seeking more victims to terrorize.
"from the description in Lord
Blackmon’s letter, I suspected immedi¬
ately that it was a lesser feyr that your
city watch slew in the La kite Quarter
two weeks ago*”7
See ttw appendix to this article for details on
the "budding" ability of the greater feyr*
9* What Benttfict says is partially true. If a greater
feyr chooses to migrate, it wilt split into two
SHE) creatures (see appendix): one that stays
behind and one that makes rhe trek to the new
location. This is only dene if the feyr believes
the new location is a richer hunting ground. For
simple procreation, a feyr uses the egg
laytng/smorhering technique described below.
“What? One of these creatures was
stalking our streets? Why didn't you
tell me this, Blackmon!?” demanded
the Baron.
“I tried to, sir, but you weren’l
interested, I believe your quip was, *A
monster attacking Lakites? Can we give
it a medal?”’
The Baron shifted uneasily in his seat,
then nodded at the scholar to continue.
"Actually, Lord Blackmon," inter¬
jected the scholar, "your letter neg¬
lected a detail I need to know. Was the
beast attacking or fleeing when your
men slew It?”
"The sergeant reported they sported
the creature on Griffon Lane, attacking
a vagrant* The watchmen chased it to
the market square, where they cor¬
nered and killed it."
1 suspected as much, A lesser feyr Is
not very intelligent. It will always attack,
even when outnumbered. Perhaps it
thinks more opponents means more vic¬
tims to terrorize. The fact that this one
to. To clarify, larval feyrs only invoke terror in
those They physically arrack. Lesser feyrs do
this but also cause if in anyone who witnesses
them attacking a victim. Finally, greater feyrs
have these abilities and can also manipulate vic¬
tims from a distance while invisible or hidden. In
addition to using its emotion ability to directly
cause fear, a greater feyr uses it for tactical
advantage. If pursued, it might incite hate in a
band of onlookers in hopes of causing a fight to
serve as a distraction while it escapes, Another
97
was fleeing indicates it was spawned
from an adult or 'greater feyr/”
"A greater feyr?” asked Baron Wolf.
“Yes. Much as larval feyrs feed upon
each other to mature into adolescents,
an adolescent feyr attacks others of its
kind on sight. The victor matures into
an adult or ‘greater feyr/ Among its
skills is the ability to peel off some of
Sts life force, spawning a lesser feyr.a
This might serve as an alternate tech¬
nique for reproduction, but thats only
a theory,0 In most cases, however, the
duplicate is expendable, created to per¬
form a specific mission such as scouting
THE CREATURE IS RAVENOUS-
FEEDING ON EMOTION
BOTH DIRECTLY AND BY
DEVOURING ITS SIBLINGS.
a new hunting ground or herding prey
towards the creature's lair.”
“Or decoying my watchmen away
from the adult,” grumbled the baron,
Tm afraid that’s the logical condu-
sion, sir/'
“The more I hear of this creature, the
more formidable it appears. Does it have
any other skills we should know about?"
“Well, a few, but fm not sure how
important—"
"Tell the Baron about the invisibility,"
interrupted Blackmon,
“Er, yes. The adult’s ability to turn
invisible is well documented, as is its
immunity to sunlight. Lesser feyrs are
destroyed by the direct light of the sun.
The adult is much tougher in combat
than the adolescent creature. Also, it
can manipulate a victims emotions in
subtle ways.10 The most disturbing
aspect, though, is its intelligence. To
reach adulthood, the beast has
absorbed phenomenal amounts of emo¬
tion, and it knows the nature of fear
Savored lactic is lo use despairon a victim it
is about lo attack to make an ambush more
successful.
it. A greater feyr makes irs lair in an abandoned
warehouse, sewer, or a similar locale. If it has a
familiar Through whom ir can negotiate (see
below), it strikes a bargain with any other mon¬
ster's nearby. In exchange for the feyr making
victims easier targets with its emotion ability, its
partners slay the victim slowly, providing extra
nourishment for the feyr. Cases of feyrs
98 mmuui 2ooo
quite well It begins manipulating events
in the community to create even more
nourishment for itself,”
"Nourishment? You mean fear.”
"Well, yes. But I’m unsure if-"
“How?”
“Well, theoretically, a greater feyr
can take a familiar, a person to serve as
its agent. It herds a likely candidate to
its lair and then holds the wretch cap¬
tive." It crawls on top of the victim,
crushing and smothering him, and at the
last moment allows him a few desperate
breaths. This continues for several days
as the feyr uses its power of despair to
destroy the victim's will. If he survives
the process, the familiar is a complete
slave, willing to do anything the feyr
commands. He serves as the eyes and
hands of his master, performing tasks
the feyr is physically unable to do.*
“Of course," said the scholar, “it's
only a theory. I've never been able to
prove—”
“It would explain the chalk messages,
though, Baron,” Lord Blackmon said.
“Messages?" asked the scholar.
“Yes," answered Blackmon. “Near
two of the murder scenes and at
several other locations, we have found
taunting messages chalked on walls.
Written in Lakite and very incendiary"
‘“Vengeance is ours/" quoted the
baron gloomily,
“Lakite messages ..." mused the
scholar, rubbing his chin, “And none of
the victims were Lakite?”
“Out of eight murders, no, not one."
"If a Lakite were angry at the main¬
stream population of the city, you'd
cooperating with wererats and vampires have
been recorded, but the DM should fed free to
use any intelligent predalor as an ally.
Should the PCs find the iair of a greater
feyr, I he DM should roll percentile dice. On a
01-50, there are 2d^ ist-level commoners held
captive. On 51-70, there are ist-level com¬
moners and also an adventurer of comparable
level to the PCs. Finally, on 71-00, no living vic¬
tims are found. Captives are kept bound and
gagged by the familiar, but they arc not fed.
think he'd go after at least a few of his
fellows that were cooperating with the
non-Lakites. View them as traitors, you
know," said Blackmon. “These messages
and murders, on the other hand, sound
much more like the work of a feyr and
its familiar”
“Walt!" demanded the baron. “Aren’t
we jumping to conclusions here?
Benedict says it’s only a theory. How
do you know these familiars exist?"
"Although he is skilled,” said
Blackmon, “Master Benedict is not the
only scholar to study these beasts,!
found a text by a Master Thadeus that
claimed there have been several cases
over the past century. In the worst, a
greater feyr played the factions of King
Fallon the True's sons against each
other during the War of Succession
thirty years ago. The beast lived in the
capital and ordered its familiar, the
town simpleton, to kidnap the wife of
one of Prince Atkin's retainers. He
strangled the poor woman and left the
body on the doorstep of Prince Lethy's
chief lieutenant. By the time the familiar
was interrogated and the feyr was slain
a month later, rioting had killed hun¬
dreds and burnt a quarter of the city
to the ground.”'3
“This theory sounds plausible to me,”
conceded the baron. "Bur if there’s a
familiar doing a feyr’s bidding here, did
he perform all these murders simply to
cause trouble between my people and
the La kites?”
“That would be part of it,” answered
Benedict. “However, Thadeus believed
it would be the creature itself, not a
familiar, that committed the killings.
Lord Blackmon's letter indicated that
although the victims were all suffo¬
cated, there were no bruises around
the throat. I would suspect that they
were all smothered, not strangled."
“Why?"
“Well, first, the feyr gets more
nourishment that way. Being slowly
smothered by the monster would be
Instead, I he feyr derives greater and greater
levels of terror from the victims as ihey starve.
12. The feyr usually chooses the village idiot or
some other menially deficient person to be ils
familiar. (See "make familiar” in the appendix at
the end of this article.) Only rarely will someone
be able to break free of the feyr's control.
Should that happen, though, the poor souks
warnings about ihe feyr are likely dismissed as
the ravings of a weak-minded lunatic.
13. In addition to those techniques spelled out in
 incredibly terrifying for the victim.
Second, having direct physical contact
might allow it to leech more emotion
from its prey.1-1
“There's a third reason, although \
hesitate to mention it because it is also
theoretical”
“These beasts seem more theory
than fact ” growled the Baron.
“I did say it was a poorly documented
creature,” said Benedict defensively.
“Go ahead.”
“Well, ive described how a misfired
spell from a mage might create a feyr
egg. The feyr s ability to generate fear is
very similar to an emotion spell If the
beast were able to force a victim to
reach an incredible level of terror-an
epiphany of fear as it were—it is possible
that dozens of eggs would be generated.'*1®
“Ye gods!” murmured the baron.
“Every one of the murders—”
“Directly upwind of the Lakite
quarter,” finished Blackmon, nodding.
“It's using the place as a hatchery.
Unless we act soon, well be facing an
infestation. When that happens, the
chaos in the capital during the War of
Succession will look like nothing.”
The baron was thoughtful for a
moment, then rose from his desk.
“Well, thank you for your counsel,
Benedict,” the baron said, taking the
sage’s hand. Tm still not completely con¬
vinced, but you have done us a great
service nonetheless. My exchequer will
see that some silver is delivered to your
residence in the morning. Now, though,
It is late, and Lord Blackmon and I must
confer on the things you have told us.”
The sage nodded politely and [eft, leav¬
ing the other two alone. As the door
closed, he heard an argument begin
between the two men, but he kept walking.
On the street in front of the palace,
the sage scampered briskly through the
early evening crowd. He was late.
A quick left turn and two rights found
R him alone in a trash-strewn alley, waiting.
You did poorly, hissed a voice inside
immmmtmtaaemeamBm
Benedict's lecture, feyrs use a number of other
tactics to wreck havoc. One favored ploy is to
lurk nearby when its familiar plants false evi¬
dence, using the hate option of its emotion abil¬
ity on those who discover ihe evidence to whip
them into a frenzy. It might also lurk near
funerals of victims and invoke either despair or
hate to further its schemes. Finally, a Feyr might
attack civic leaders, either indirectly (having its
familiar uncover or fabricate evidence to
/ -
A single slow death by smothering can nourish the feyr for a week or more.
his head. He spun to see the faint out¬
line of the feyr resolving itself against
the alley's entrance, cutting off his
escape. He fought down a scream as he
felt tendrils of the creature's anger
brush the edges of his mind. Terrified,
rhe old man threw himself to the filthy
cobblestones and began to sob.
Because of you they now know more
about me. You wifi be punished
“No!” the scholar begged in a hoarse
whisper, "Please don't! j told them noth¬
ing useful, just repeated what the
Baron s man already knew from his
research! Don’t blame me because
Blackmons clever! Besides, fear of you
will cause great panic!”
There was a moment of complete
silence and then the scholar gasped
with relief as he felt the creature with¬
draw from his mind.
You are right about Blackmon, He is
indeed clever, too level-headedl i will
not kill you ... yet. Instead, f have a task
for you* sla ve.
discredit the victim) or directly (by manipulating
emotions ro drive the leader to self-destructive
behavior}. By neutralizing the moral leadership
of a community, a feyr hopes to make the
inhabitants easier pickings for its later attacks,
14. See the appendix for details of the greater
feyr’s “smother" attack.
15, ff a feyr kills a victim by smothering while
simultaneously attacking it with the fear option
of its emotion power, 4b 6 feyr eggs are
A torrent of images and emotions
flooded the old mans mind, unspoken
commands from the feyr. The intensity
hit him like a lightning bolt, and he fell
himself slip into a seizure. When the
agony finally passed, he sensed his
master had left the alley but was still
nearby. The scholar rose from the
ground and stumbled into the street.
It would be a long night: preparing
the note In Lakite, waiting for the feyr
to incapacitate or distract the guards,
figuring out which room in lord
Blackmon's villa was used as the nurs¬
ery for his two daughters. But before
all that there was one errand to run,
and he feared what his master would
do if he didn't get it done in time.
Where was he going to find a meal
cleaver at this hour of the night?
Turn the page to jkce the new fear..
created. However, due to the large amount of
nourishment present during their creation,
they are much hardier specimens than those
formed by simple spell miscasting. Specifically,
they are Immune to the effects of sunlight, arc
less susceptible to damage (treat them as glass
beads for hardness, hit points, handling, and
saving throws), and remain viable for six
months without nourishment.
99
 APPENDIX: THE GREATER FETR, LESSER FEYR, AND LARVAL FEYR
The feyr (pronounced “fear") is a magic parasite, nourished by negative emotions
from humans and other humanoid races,

LARVAL FEYR
Diminutive Aberration
L arval feyrs resemble 6-fneh long, translucent maggots with a single eye and
forked tail. They are spawned by concentrations of magical activity and nega¬
Hit Dice ■/ssdS^t (1 hp) tive emotions such as raget sadness, and terror. Cities with a wizards quarter or
Initiative +5 (Dex) cluster of temples adjacent to a prison, asylum, or ghetto are prime spawning
Speed 15 ft.T climb 10 ft. grounds for the beasts, which lurk in the shadows and drop on victims from
AC 19 (+4 size, +5 Dex) above. Eventually, they mature into lesser feyrs and begin wandering the streets in
Attacks Bite, -4 melee search of victims to terrorize.
Damage Bite idg-4
Face/Reach 1 ft. by 1 Ft./1 ft.
Combat critical wounds, Conversely, a spell that
Special Cause fear
A larva! feyr clings to 3 wall or ceiling, counters fear injures the feyr in a similar
Attacks
avoiding sunlight. If four or more are pres¬ manner, (A 1st-level remove fear acts as
Special Darkvision (30 ft.), fear
ent, they drop from their perches on a lone inflict light wounds.)
Qualities immunity, light sensitivity
individual (usually a child or elderly person) Cause Fear (Sp): Any creature attacked
Saves Fort -it Ref Will -2
and attack. After the attack, all the larvae by a larval feyr must make a Will save
Abilities Str 3, Dex 20, Con g,
flee the scene and seek new perches from (DC to) or be subject to the effects of a
Int 2, Wfs 2, Cha 11
which to hunt. cause fear spell as though cast by a
Skis Climb +7, Hide +8
Fear JimrumiTy (Ex): Larva! feyrs are 1st-lev el sorcerer.
Feats -
immune to magical and nonmagicaf fear. Ssmfight Sensitivity: A larval feyr must
Climate/Terrain Urban
Emotion controlling magic normally has no make a Fortitude save (DC 15) every round
Organization Swarm (idso)
effect, but spells that cause or counter fear it is exposed to direct sunlighl or immedi¬
Challenge Rating V4
respectively act as cure spells or inflict ately die. With a successful save, it suffers
Treasure None
spells of the equivalent level. Thus fear idfi damage.
Alignment Always neutral
cast by a wizard is equivalent to cure
Advancement Range 1-2 HD (Tiny)

LESSER FEYR
Small Aberration
Hit Dice 3d8+6 (19 hp)
Initiative +1 (Dex)
Speed 40 r.
AC 18 (+1 size, +1 Dex,
+6 natural)
Attacks Bite, +2 melee; tentacle
slam, -3 melee
Damage Bite id6; tentacle slam ids
Face/Reach 5 by 5 ft-/s ft-
Special Fear
Attacks
Special Darkvision (30 ft.), fear
Qualities immunity, light sensitivity
Saves Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +1
Abilities Str io, Dex 13, Con 15,
Int 5, Wis g, Cha 16
Skiffs Climb +4, Hide +7,
Intimidate +7
Feats -
Ciimate/Terram Urban
Organization Loose band (sd4)
Challenge Rating 2
Treasure None
Alignment Always chaotic evil
Advancement Range 4-7 HD (Medium-
size), 8-10 HD (Medium-size)
L esser feyrs have lumpy, roughly spherical bodies about a foot wide, with two
thick 2-foot-long tentacles that serve as legs. They have three gold and copper
eyes set just above very Impressive jaws.
Combat fear injures the feyr in a similar manner.
Lesser feyrs lurk quietly in darkened alleys (A 1 st level remove fear acts as inflict light
or stairwells, but once they attack a victim, wounds,)
they show no restraint. They will chase a Fear (Sp): Any creature attacked by a
fleeing victim down the street and not break lesser feyr must make a Will save (DC 14) or
off the pursuit, even if confronted with be subject to the effects of a fear spell as
superior odds or if their prey Rees into full though cast by an 8th-Ievel sorcerer.
sunlight. (See "light sensitivity/1 below.) Additionally, anyone witnessing a lesser feyr
Fear immunity (Ex): Lesser feyrs are attack must make a Will save (DC 14) or be
immune to magical and nonmagical fear. subject to the effects of a Fear spell as
Emotion controlling magic normally has no though cast by an 8rh-level sorcerer
effect, but spells that cause or counter fear SunBght Sensitivity: A lesser feyr must
respectively act as cure spells of inflict make a Fortitude save (DC 15) every round
spells of the equivalent level. Thus fear cast it is exposed to direct sunlight or immedi¬
by a wizard is equivalent to cure critical ately die. With a successful save, ri suffers
wounds. Conversely, a spell that counters idfi damage.

loo annual2ooo
 G reater feyrs have lumpy, roughly spherical bodies often wider than a man is
tall Two massive, 8-foot-long tentacles serve as legs and arms, and a multi¬
GREATER FEYR

Large Aberration
tude of lesser tentacles help to grapple and subdue prey. The greater feyr has Five
Hit Dice i6d8+64 (160 hp)
eyes and four mouths. The mouths are used for combat and terrorizing victims,
Initiative +5 (Dex)
not for feeding, as the feyr feeds exclusively on the emotion of its victims and
Speed 30 ft,, fly 60 ft. (good)
requires no physical nourishment.
AC 22 (-1 size, +1 Dex,
Greater feyrs leave their birthplace and seek out new homes, often migrating
+12 natural)
for hundreds of miles over several weeks. They settle m any place with an ade¬
Attacks 4 bites +16 melee;
quate concentration of emotional energy to nourish them, most often in another
urban area, but greater feyrs have even been known to follow armies across a 2 tentacle slams,
continent, knowing them to provide a steady supply of terror and despair. 414/4-9/4-4 melee
Damage 4 bites 2d6+4, 2 tentacle
Combat Emotion (Sp): five times a day, greater slams id6+2
The greater feyr is more intelligent and cun¬ feyrs have the innate ability to manipulate
Face/Reach 5 ft. by 5 ft./10 Ft.
ning than its previous forms. It prefers to creatures1 emotions as the arcane spell emo-
Special Emotion, fear, improved
work from afar, avoiding combat except rion, although they can exercise only the
Attacks grab, smother
when the odds are in its favor. despair, fear; hate, or rage options. The ability
Special Budding, darkvision
Fear Immunity ($u): Greater feyrs are has a range of 150 feet and affects all crea¬
Qualities (60 ftJ, fear immunity,
immune to magical and nonmagical fear. tures rn a 15-foof radius. Victims must make a
improved invisibility;
Emotion controlling magic normally has no Will save (DC 20) to resist the effects.
make familiar, SR 20
effect, but spells that cause or counter fear Budding (Ex): A greater feyr can split off
some of its life Force to create one or more Saves Fort 4-9, Ref 4-6, Will +12
respectively act as cure spells or in flier spells
of the equivalent level. Thus fear cast by a feyrs under the parent’s control Usually these Abilities Str 19, Dex 13, Con 19,
wizard is equivalent to cure critical wounds. offspring are used for specific, short-term Int 14, Wis 15, Cha 22
Conversely, a spell that counters fear Injures missions such as reconnaissance or to decoy Skills Hide +6, Intimidate +25,
the feyr in a similar manner. (A tst-Tevel pursuers. The feyr can divide its Hit Dice as Listen +13, Sense Motive
remove fear acts as inflict light woundsJ desired between itself and its offspring, as +18, Spot -H3
FaartSp): Any creature attacked by a long as the smaller creature receives at least Feats Alertness, Combat
greater feyr must make a Will save (DC 20) 4 Hit Dice and the parent retains more Hit Reflexes, Flyby Attack,
or be subject to the effects of a fear spell as Dice than any of the offspring. It rakes 2 Improved Initiative,
though cast by a 14 th-level sorcerer. rounds for the split to occur, during which Multi attack
Additionally, anyone witnessing a lesser feyr rime the feyr can perform no other action and Climate/Terrain Urban
attack must also make a Will save (DC 20) or can not use its power of improved invisibility. Organization Solitary
be subject to the effects of a fear spell as After the split, roll hit points for the new crea¬ Challenge Rating 14
though cast by a i^th-level sorcerer. ture, deducting that total from the larger Treasure Standard
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, creature. For game purposes, treat any feyr Alignment Always chaotic evil
the greater feyr must hit a Medium-size or with 4-6 Hit Dice as lesser feyrs and 7-10 Hit
Advancement Range 17-32 HD (Huge)
smaller opponent with two tentacle slams in Dice as greater feyrs.
the same round. If it gets a hold in this fash¬ Once spawned, the other Feyrs immediately The feyr maintains 3 telepathic link wilh the
ion, it deals normal damage and attempts to leave at their maximum movement to perform familiar with 0 range of 4 miles. If a distance
start a grapple as a free action without pro¬ their assigned mission. The parent maintains a greater than 4 miles separates the feyr from
voking an attack of opportunity. Once a vic¬ telepathic link with the smaller creatures, com¬ its familiar, the link is broken and the target
tim has been grappled, the feyr can initiate its manding rhem and seeing what they see. cannot be made a familiar by that feyr again.
smother attack. If the smaller feyrs survive the mission, they Nothing else short of a limited wish, wish, or
Improved fnvfstb&ty (Sp): A greater feyr return to their parent and are devoured, miracle spell can break this bond.
gains the benefits of improved invisibility at will. restoring the feyr to its original Hit Dice, The greater feyr can see and hear every¬
Smother (Ex): A greater feyr can smother Should the offspring perish, the feyr hunts to thing that the familiar does, and it can com¬
a grappled victim. The victim being smothered smother victims, it recovers 1 Hit Die for each mand and converse with the familiar at will.
can hold her breath for a number of rounds victim of greater than animal intelligence that it The feyr gains knowledge of all languages at
equal to double her Constitution, After this kills by smothering. Roll hit points for each the same level of fluency as the familiar. If
time, the victim must make a Constitution recovered Hit Die. commanded to rake actions contrary to her
check (DC 10) every round in order to con¬ Make Famfisr (Su): A greater feyr can make nature, the familiar can make a Will save with
tinue holding her breath. Each round the DC a creature its familiar by terrorizing if for 2d4 a DC equal to a new Intimidate check made
increases by 1, When the victim fails her days. The feyr must successfully use the by the feyr plus a bonus of +1 to +4, depend¬
Constitution check, she begins to suffocate. In despair power of its emotion ability on the vic¬ ing on the type of action required. Obviously
the first round she falls unconscious (0 hp). In tim three times each day and suffocate the vic¬ self-destructive orders are not carried out
the following round, she drops to -1 hit points tim to unconsciousness at least once each day. and break the feyris control A successful
and Is dying. In the third round, she dies. At the end of this time, it uses its Intimidate skill save indicates the largei has broken free of
Victims of greater than animal intelligence on the victim. The victim must then make a Will the feyr s control and cannot be made into a
killed by smothering grant the greater Feyr save with a DC equal to the greater feyrs familiar again.
temporary hit points equal to 4 x the victim s Intimidate check result. A successful save indi¬ A greater feyr can have only one familiar
HD. The temporary hit points last for a num¬ cates the target has broken free of the feyr s at a time. ®
ber of hours equal to the victim’s control and is immune to further attempts to be
Constitution. A greater feyr cannot move or made into that feyr’s Familiar. Failure indicates
attack while smothering. that the victim has become the feyr s familiar.
 en Realms 2000

Your primer to the new Torgoiten. Realms Campaign Setting

by Sean K Reynolds

v m »iTh the introduction of the new edition of

■ A m Dungeons Dt Dragons, an entire world of roleplay-
1111 ers are making the switch to the best RPG ever
JV crafted. The changes wrought with the new edition
leave players and DMs of the Forgottin Realms faced with
a multitude of decisions regarding character creation,
domains for deities, and other essentia! components.
In order to allow all of you to adventure in the Forgotten
Realms using the new D&tD rules, weVe releasing this
"survival guide" of information that will get you through to
The release of the campaign setting in June,
Are al the changes that will befall Toril hinted at below?
Not at all, but this information will allow you to play in the
Forgotten Realms for the next few months.
In the coming months, well reveal some of the other
exciting changes we've got underway. You'll be able to see
glimpses of those changes in the pages of Dragon
Magazine, through the RPG A, and on the website.
Until Swords Part,
Jim Butler, Brand Manager
Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting

MAGIC ITEMS
The Forgotten Realms campaign setting
is well-known for its magic, so here are
some of the more popular magic items
from Myth Drannor and other regions.
Seeing how we converted these items
should help you do the same for the
other items your characters wield until
you can get your hands on the new
campaign setting book.
Blueglow moss: Blueglow moss is a
magic plant growth, powered by the
mythal and imbued with many healing
abilities. At night it glows with blue
faerie firet and a creature that rests
upon a bed of blueglow moss is cured
of id4 points of damage for every con¬
ARJEMJLS ENTRER1
MATT WlEOIst tinuous hour spent there. If 6 or more
continuous hours are spent upon the
moss bed, the following effects occur:
* a remove disease spell
* the use of darkviston at will, ending
when the creature leaves the mythal
* The ability to levitate self at will
(naked self only after first 6-hour
interval, increasing by 25 pounds per
interval to a maximum of 1,000
pounds), ending when the creature
leaves the mythal
» use of detect poison at will, plus an
awareness of the body to immediately
recognize attacks, infestations, diseases,
or other affronts to the body when
they might otherwise be concealed
(such as anaesthetic attacks by certain
blood-draining creatures), ending when
the creature leaves the mythal
■ +2 resistance bonus to saving
throws against petrification and
polymorph effects, ending when the
creature leaves the mythal
• a regenerate spell (requires 12
hours of exposure, cumulative but with
no more than 1 full day in-between
exposures).
Blueglow moss cannot survive
outside of a mythal and cannot be
created independent of spells that
create a mythal.

lo2 annual2ooo
Dovers Harp: This magic item's original
name has been lost, and its current
name derives From Dove Faleonhand,
who owns such a harp. This is a mas¬
ter work harp, triangular in shape, with
20-36 strings. When it is played, all
within 20 feet of the harp are tem¬
porarily cured of any insanity (as if a
greater restoration were in effect) and
are protected by a cairn emotions spell.
Those who listen to it for 2 rounds or
more receive the benefits of cure fight
wounds spell as if cast by a ist-Jeve!
cleric, although this power can only
affect a being once every ten day.
While its magic is being invoked, the
harp and harpist radiate light. Use of
the harp requires the Perform (harp)
skill and is a standard action.
Caster Level: 9th; Prerequisites: Craft
Wondrous Item, calm emotions, greater
restoration, healing circle, light; Market
Price; 45,000 gp; Cost to Create;
22,500 gp + i,8oo XP

Fanged Mask: This half-mask is like one

wears to a masquerade party, but the
bottom edge has numerous sharp-look¬
ing catlike teeth. The wearer can use
the mask to bite in combat for 164
points of damage (not in addition to
normal bite damage), and the mask is +1
weapon, A bitten creature must make a
Fortitude save (DC 13) or be stunned
for 1 round.
Caster Level: 3rd: Prerequisites: Craft
Wondrous Item, spiritual weapon;
Market Price: 4,302 gp; Cost to Create.
2,151 gp + 172 XP.
Harper Pm: Harper pins are fashioned
from silver that has been enchanted to
be as hard as adamantine (hardness 20,
9 hit points, +5 on all saving throws).
Their wearer is protected by the fol¬
lowing constant effects: immune to
magic missiles, nondetection, protection
from elements (electricityl undetectable
alignment, and a +5 resistance bonus to
saves against mind-influencing effects.
Some harper pins turn black and make
discordant jangling sounds when worn
by evil beings._
Caster Level: 5th; Prerequisites: Craft
Wondrous Item, nondetection, protec¬
tion from elements, resistance, shield,
undetectable alignment (plus detect evil
and ghost sound For harper pins that
respond to an evil bearer); Market
Price: 75750 gp (78,750 gp for the
SAM WOOD
Some of the races in the Forgotten Realms setting differ from those in the
Player 5 Handbook and other core D&fD sources. Listed below are the ability
score modifiers of the standard player character races. Note that these races
have additional abilities beyond their ability scores; these will be revealed in the
campaign setting book.
Human: as Players Handbook human.
Dwarf, gold: +2 Constitution, -2 Dexterity,
Dwarf, shield: as Players Handbook dwarf.
Elf, drow: +2 Dexterity, -2 Constitution, +2 Intelligence, +2 Charisma, 120 ft.
darkvision and spell resistance as per the Monster Manual
Elf, moon; as Players Handbook elf.
Elf, sun: -2 Constitution, +2 Intelligence,
Elf, wild: +2 Dexterity, -2 Intelligence.
Elf, wood: +2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, -2 Constitution, -2 Intelligence,
-2 Charisma.
Gnome, rock: as Player's Handbook gnome.
Half-elf: as Playerfs Handbook half-elf (half-drow get 60 ft. darkvision
instead of low-light vision).
Half-ore: as Player's Handbook ha If-ore.
Halfling, lightfoot: as Players Handbook hatfling.
mum
The new Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting has over thirty new domains tai¬ version that reacts to an evil bearer);
lored for the deities of Faerun. The details of those domains and their granted Cost to Create: 37,875 gp + 3,030 XP
powers are too lengthy to go into here (and we don’t want to spoil the sur¬ (39.375 SP + 3>'5° XP)-
prise), but what follows are the living deities from the Faiths &t Avatars trilogy
(plus the entire ore pantheon) and their Player *$ Handbook domains. Some of Jump Dagger: When grasped, this
them look pretty skimpy, but that's generally because there are more Forgotten dagger acts as a ring of feather falling,
Realms domains that aren't mentioned here. If you're unhappy with the domain and also allows the one holding it to
choices for your favorite deity, don't worry, there’s plenty of good stuff in the make one Jump (useable every other
campaign setting book* round)* If the dagger touched to an
object weighing 5 pounds or less, the
Abbathor: Evil, Luck, Trickery Erevan lie sere: Chaos, Luck, Trickery wielder can use the weapon's jump
Aerdrie Faenya: Air, Animal, Eshowdow: Chaos, Evil, Destruction power to gently propel the item up to
Chaos, Good Fenmarel Mestarine: Animal, Chaos, 30 feet in any direction (usually used to
Akadi: Air, Travel, Trickery Planf.Travel pass weapons, keys, or valuables to
Angharradh: Chaos, Good, Finder Wyvemspur: Chaos someone else). If this power is used
Plant, Protection Flandal Stedskm: Good against an objeci held by a creature,
Anhur: Chaos, Good, Strength, War Gaerdal Ironhand: Good, Law, consider the attack a Strike a Weapon
Arvoreen: Good, Law, Protection, War action, and if successful have the tar-
Protection, War Garagos: Chaos, Destruction, geted object's owner make a Will save
Audi: Air, Evil, Water Strength, War (DC it) to avoid the effect; if the save
Azuth: Knowledge, Law, Magic Gargauth: Evil, Law, Trickery is failed the creature can make a
Baervan Wildwanderer: Animal, Garl Glittergold: Good, Strength check (DC 15) to grab or hold
Good, Plant, Travel Protection, Trickery onto the item, preventing its loss*
Bahgtru: Chaos, Evil, Strength Geb: Earth, Protection Caster Level: 5th; Prerequisites: Craft
Baravar Cloakshadow: Good, Ghaunadaur: Chaos, Evil Wondrous Item, jump, mage hand;
Protection, Trickery Good: Earth, Fire, Knowledge Market Price: 16,052 gp; Cost to
Berronar Truesilver: Good, Gorm Gulfhyn: Good, Law, Create: 8,026 gp + 3,210 XP.
Healing, Law, Protection, Protection, War
Beshaba: Chaos, Evil, Luck, Trickery Grumbar: Earth Mirror Mask: This mask is circular, with
Brandobaris: Luck, Travel, Trickery Gruumsh: Chaos, Evil, Strength, War dark lines radiating outward from the
Calladuran Smoothhands: Earth Gwaeron Winds from: Animal, Good, poini between the eyes. The wearer
Knowledge, Plant, Travel gains a +5 resistance bonus to all saves
Haela Brightaxe: Chaos, Good, against gaze attacks and spells that
Luck, War work through sight (such as flare,
Hanali Celanrl: Chaos, Good pattern spells, a vampire's domination
Hathor: Good ability, and so on)* Furthermore, any
Helm: Law, Protection, Strength creature that views the wearer's face
Hoar: Law, Travel while the mask is worn sees their own
Horus-Re: Good, Law, Sun face rather than the wearer's*
llmater: Good, Healing, Law, Strength, Caster Level: 5th; Prerequisites: Craft
llneval: Evil, Destruction, War Wondrous Item, change self, resistance;
Chauntea; Animal, Earth, Good, Isis: Good, Magic, Water, Market Price: 8,759 gp; Cost to
Plant, Protection Isttshia: Destruction, Travel, Water Create: 4,379 gp + 350 XP*
Clangeddin Silverbeard: Good, Jergal: Death, Law
Law, Strength, War Purple Dragon Ring: This item is a
Corellon Larethian: Chaos, brass ring engraved with Purple
Good, Protection, War Dragon symbol of the Obarskyr royal
Cyric; Chaos, Destruction, family. The wearer can use it to create
Evil, Trickery fight once per round, either on the ring
Cyrrollaiee: Good, Law or up to 40 feet away; this effect lasts
Deep Duerra: Evil, Law 10 minutes, and (unlike the fight cantrip}
Deep Sashelas: Chaos, Good, cannot be dispelled by the ring, its sec¬
Knowledge, Magic, Water ond power is a combined detect magic
Deneir: Good, Knowledge Kelemvor: Death, Law, and detect poison power activated by
Dugmaren Brightmantle: Chaos, Protection, Travel, command word (usually inscribed on
Good, Knowledge Kiaransafee: Chaos, Evil the inside of the ring, and typically
Dumathoin: Earth, Knowledge, Kossuth: Destruction, Fire “Bonthar'); when this power is acti¬
Protection, Labelas Enorefh: Chaos, Good, vated and the ring touched to a food or
Eilistraee: Chaos, Good Knowledge drink, it glows an eerie gold-green if
Eldath: Good, Plant, Protection, Water Laduger: Evil, Law, Protection, Magic the substance is poisonous and a bright
CONTINUED OK PAGE m blue if it is enchanted (including

lo4 annual2ooo

potions). The ring cannot identify what
sort of poison or magic is present.
These rings are normally found only
in the hands of the Purple Dragons of
Cormyr (of fionar rank or higher), the
royal family of that nation, or by indi¬
viduals performing special missions on
behalf of the crown. The Purple
Dragons use them ro protect the royal
family from assassination attempts by
poison, and also to verify that mer~
chants claiming the sale of magic
potions are not being fraudulent. Over
four thousand of these rings are known
to have been made, and there are said
to be stores of them in all three of
Cormyr s major cities in case many are
needed in an emergency, Ir is likely that
there are rings with similar functions in
circulation, created for nobles or mer-
chants fearing poison or trickery.
Caster Level: ist; Prerequisites: Forge
Ring, detect magic, detect poison, light;
Market Price: 2,125 gPi Cost to Create:
1062 gp + 85 XP.
Ring of Dragons: These brass rings are
created by the Cult of the Dragon and
are greatly prized by the higher tiers of
its organization. There are about sev¬
enty in existence: some look like snakes
or dragons biting their own tails. The
wearer can use the following abilities:
* verbally or telepathically communi¬
cate with any true dragon
* cast a figment of a dragon (as
silent image) once per day within 60
feet of himself: the dragon resembles
any dragon the user has personally
seen (this power is typically used as a
recognition symbol or a diversion)
* transmit a call to a named dracolich
or evil dragon; the target knows the
wearer's location and can home in on
the call if they choose to respond,
although there is no compulsion to do
so (the call remains active until the ring
is removed, the wearer dismisses the
call, or the wearer dies)__
Caster Le vet 15th: Prerequisites: Forge
Ring, detect thoughts, sending, silent
image, tongues; Market Price: 100,000
gp; Cost to Create: 50,000 gp +
4,000 XP.
Singing Sword: These stiver
greats words are believed to have been
created for use by the Harpers. When
drawn, they sing loudly and constantly,
although the singing can be countered
normally by a skilled bard, a silence
IMIJUMIimUH
Monks and paladins have the restric¬
tion that if they ever take a level in
another class, they cannot return to
the path of the monk or paladin. On
Torrf, there are some monk and pal¬
adin orders that break this restriction,
allowing them to gain levels in a par-
ticular class without sacrificing the
ability to return, A few examples of
these groups, and their available
mulriclassing options, are listed in the
sidebar to the right:
spell, and so on. As long as the bearer
can hear the sword’s song, she gains a
+3 morale bonus to hit and damage.
Furthermore, she gains a +5 morale
bonus to saves against mind-affecting
spells and effects (and the only sort of
emotion spell that can affect the
wtelder is rage). The sword's song
quells shriekers, negates the song
effects of harpies within 100 feet, and
once per day can act as an enthrall
spell to creatures with 2 or fewer Hit
Dice (and affecting them with a sugges¬
tion spell if they fail a second saving
throw). Some of these weapons are
intelligent and aligned chaotic good.
Caster Level: 9th; Prerequisites: Craft
Magic Arms and Armor, bless, enthrall
suggestion, creator must have 3 ranks
of Perform (the chaotic good intelligent
singing swords must be created by a
being of that alignment); Market Price:
9>5S5 gP: Cost t0 Create: 4,792 gp +
383 XP.
Spectral Blade; Fashioned from the
bone of a creature that died violently,
this appears to be just a sword hilt
made of bone. When grasped by a
creature, a “blade” of light that seems
to be constructed of faerie fire
appears. The blade has no attack bonus
but an wiefder attacking with it requires
a successful touch attack; any target
struck is affected by a chiii touch spell.
Different varieties of spectral blades
have been created to resemble many
different bladed weapons, from daggers
to greatswords.
Caster Level: 5th; Prerequisites: Craft
Magic Arms and Armor, chill touch;
Market Price: 10,000 gp; Cost to
Create: 5,000 gp 4- 250 XP.
Monk of llmater: cleric of llmater
Halflmg Monk: fighter or rogue
Monks of The Yellow Rose; ranger
Paladin of Chauntea: cleric of
Chauntea
Paladin of Helm; cleric of Helm,
fighter
Paladin of llmater: cleric of llmater
Paladin of Lathander: cleric of
Lathander
Paladin of Moradin: cleric of
Moradm, Fighter
Paladin of Torn: any one other class
Paladin of Tyn cleric of Tyr, fighter
Paladin of Yondalla; monk
Winged Mask: The edges of this full-
face mask are made to resemble feath¬
ers or wings. The wearer can fly at
will, but glows with white light when¬
ever this ability is used. The mask can
only carry the wearer and 50 pounds
of other material. If grappled or
weighted down in mid-flight, the wearer
is borne to the ground under the
effects of a feather fall speli._
Caster Level: 5th; Prerequisites: Craft
Wondrous Item, feather fail fly, light;
Market Price: 36,000 gp; Cost to
Create: 18,000 gp + 1,440 XP.
Skull Mask: This mask is shaped like a
skull and painted black around the eyes.
When worn, the wearer's visage
transforms to look like an actual skull.
The wearer gains a +4 morale bonus to
saving throws against disease, fear
effects, and paralysis, and is immune to
life draining attacks. The wearer imme¬
diately recognizes any creature seen as
alive, dead, undead, or inanimate (never
alive, such as a lifelike statue). Undead
are drawn to the wearer of a skull
mask, attacking that creature in prefer¬
ence to all others.
Caster Level: 5th; Prerequisites: Craft
Wondrous Item, deathwatch, defect
undead, negative energy protection,
remove fear; Marker Price: 50,000 gp;
Cost to Create: 25,000 gp + 2,000 XP.
Staff of Night: This staff of black wood
is carved with runes of darkness, stars,
and night, with one resembling an
umber hulk. The staff has the following
powers:
* immunity to the confusing gaze
power of umber hulks (no charges)
• dark vision
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 104
Lathander: Good, Protection,
Strengthp Sun
Lliira: Chaos, Good
Lolth; Chaos, Evil
Loviatar; Evil, Fire, Law, Strength,
Lurue: Animal, Chaos, Good, Healing
Luthic: Earth, Evil, Healing
Malar: Animal Chaos, Evil, Strength
Marthammor Duin: Good,
Protection, Travel
Mask: Evil, Luck, Trickery
Mielikki: Animal, Good, Plant, Travel
Milil: Good, Knowledge
Moradin: Earth, Good, Law,
Protection, War
Mystra: Good, Knowledge, Magic
Nephthys: Chaos, Good, Protection
Mobanion: Animal, Good, Law
Oghma: Knowledge, Luck,
Travel, Trickery
Osiris: Death, Good, Law, Plant
Red Knight: Law, War
Rillifane Raliathil: Chaos, Good,
Plant, Protection
Savras: Knowledge, Law, Magic
Sebek: Animal, Evil, Water
Segojan Earthcaller: Good, Earth
Sehanine Moon bow: Chaos, Good*
Knowledge, Travel
Selune: Chaos, Good,
Protection, Travel
Selvetarm; Chaos, Evil, War,
Set: Air, Evil, lawT Magic
Shar: Evil, Knowledge
Sharess: Chaos, Good* Travel
Shargass: Chaos* Evil, Trickery
Sharindlar: Chaos, Good, Healing
Shaundakul: Air, Chaos, Protection*
Travel
106 annual2ooo
Sheda Peryroyl: Air* Plant
Shevarash: Chaos* War
Shiallia: Animal, Good, Plant
Siamorphe: Knowledge* Law
Silvanus: Animal, Plant* Protection,
Water
Solonor Thelandira: Chaos, Good,
Plant* War
Sseth: Chaos, Evil* Knowledge
Sune: Chaos, Good, Protection
TaJona: Chaos* Evil, Destruction
laics: Chaos, Evil* Destruction, Fire
Tempos: Chaos, Protection*
Strength, War
Thard Harr: Animal, Chaos,
Good* Plant
Thofh: Knowledge* Magic
Tiamat: Evil* Law
Torn: Good* Healing* Law,
Protection, Strength
Tymora: Chaos, Good, Luck*
Protection* Travel
Tyr: Good, Knowledge* Law, War
Ubtao: Plant, Protection
lilutiu: Animal, Law
Umber lee: Chaos, Destruction*
Evil* Water
Urdlen: Chaos, Earth, Evil
Urogalan: Earth* Death* Law,
Protection
Uthgar: Animal, Chaos, Strength, War
Valkur: Air* Chaos, Good, Protection
Velsharoon: Death, Evil, Magic
Vergadain: Luck, Trickery
Vhaeraun: Chaos, Evil* Travel,
Trickery
Waukeen: Knowledge* Travel,
Protection
Xvim: Law* Destruction* Evil
Yondalla: Good* Law* Protection
Yurtrus: Evil, Death, Destruction,
* low-light vision (duration as if
casting the darkvision spell)
* dispel magic (only works against
light-creating spells such as light, con¬
tinual flame, and so on)
* darkness
* summon monster VI (summons one
umber hulk* useable only once every
tenday, 2 charges)
If the summoned umber hulk is slain,
the staff crumbles to dust.
Caster Level: nth; Prerequisites: Craft
Staff, darknessf darkvision, dispel
magic, summon monster VI; Market
Price: 50*000 gp; Cost to Create:
25,000 gp + 2,000 XP.
Staff of Vision: This staff has the
following powers:
* darkvision {1 charge)
* remove blindness (2 charges)
* see invisibility (1 charge)
* true seeing (2 charges)
The staff has an unusual side effect.
Using it is mentally tiring, and each use
requires a Will save (DC 12) or the
bearer suffers 1 point of temporary
Intelligence damage*__
Caster Level: 12th; Prerequisites: Craft
Staff, darkvision* see invisibility;
remove blindness, true seeing: Market
Price: 24*000 gp; Cost to Create:
12*000 gp + 960 XP.
War Wizard Cloak (Weathercloak):
These full-cut, black cloaks hang to mtd-
boot on an average human. Cut to
overlap on the chest and cover the
wearers arms* they have a high collar
and a separate pull-over hood. They are
embroidered with a white upraised
human palm in a circle on the right col¬
lar* a purple dragon on the left collar*
and another on the center point of the
hood (so it is displayed to the rear when
the hood is pulled back). The cloak con¬
stantly provides the wearer with the
following benefits: endure e/ements
(cold), darkvision, and feather fall (self
only)* Once per day, the wearer can use
dimension door, lesser ironguard, pro¬
tection From arrowsr and sending.
These cloaks are normally only worn
by Cormyrian war-wizards, nobles, or
specially chosen agents, although with
the number of dead war-wizards
caused by the war against the dragon
Nalavara, it is likely that some have
been looted from corpses and can be
Found in other hands.
Caster Level: gth; Prerequisites: Craft
Wondrous Item, darkvision, dimension SEMEMMDK
TODD LOCKWOOD
doot\ endure elements, feather fall,
lesser ironguard, protection from
arrows, sending; Market Price: 30,3/5
gp; Cost to Create; 15,187 gp +
1,215 xp.

SPELLS
As with magic items, the Forgotten
Realms campaign is known for its
unusual spells. The war wizard cloak
(above) refers to the lesser ironguard
spell, so this spell is included here to
allow you to fully utilize that item s
abilities.

Lesser ironguard
Abjuration
Level; Sor/Wiz 5
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)

The caster or a creature touched LUCK OF HEROES [General]

becomes immune to nonmagical metal
Nonmagical metal items (including metal
weapons) simply pass through the
affected creature, and the target of
the spell can walk through nonmagical
metal barriers such as iron bars.
Attacks delivered by metal Items
(such as poison on a dagger)
affect the creature normally.
If the spelt expires while
metal is inside an affected
creature, the metal object
is shunted out of its body
(or the body away from the
meral, if the metal is an immovable
object like a set of iron bars).
The affected creature and the object
take id6 points of damage as a result
(ignoring the object’s hardness rating
For determining damage to it).
Because the target of the spell
passes through metal, it can ignore
armor and hardness bonuses on oppo-
nents it attacks with unarmed attacks.
Material Components: a tiny shield
made of wood, glass, or crystal.
The new Forgotten Realms campaign
setting has more than fifty new feats.
One of the new concepts we devel¬
oped is the regional feat: a feat you
can get only if you come from a
particular area or study with people
from there. As the RPGA's Living City
campaign is very popular and takes
place in the Forgotten Realms, we
decided to help out those LC players
converting their characters over to
the new edition, so here are three of
© the new Forgotten Realms feats, all of
which are available to natives of the
Vast (and* you'll note, a few other
places). These regional feats use a
feat slot just like any other feat; you
don't get them for free just for being
from a particular place.
Your people survive when no one
expects them to come through.
Regions: Aglarond, Dafelands, Tethyr,
the Vast.
Benefit: You get a +1 bonus to alt
Fortitude, Reflex, and Will saves.
MERCANTILE BACKGROUND
[General]
You come from a family that excels
at a particular trade.
Regions: Gray Dwarf, Impillur, Lake
of Steam, lantan, Sembia,
Svirfnebiin, Tashatar, Tethyr, Thesk,
the Vast.
Benefit: Choose a Craft or Profession
skill You get a +2 bonus to all Craft
or Profession checks for that skill and
a +2 bonus to all Appraise checks.
THUG [General]
Your people know how to get the
jump on the competition and push
other people around.
Regions: Calimshan, Dragon Coast,
Moonsea, Pirate Isles, Unther, the
Vast, Vilhon Reach, Waterdeep.
Benefit: You get a +2 bonus on
Initiative checks, and a +2 bonus on
Intimidate checks.
THE HEROES OF MYTH DR ANNOR
by Carrie Bebris * illustrated by Dev Madan

F antasy characters lead pretty

rough lives. Every time they
turn around, it seems some¬
one’s trying to rake over
the world*
This time it's the Cult of the Dragon,
led by an evil sorceress and her dracol-
ich general. The dastardly duo has found
a way to control the Mythal, the ancient
magic that once protected the ruined
elven capital of Myth Drannor. Together
they have used the Mythal's power to
resurrect the Pool of Radiance, a life-
draining menace that Faerunians think
was destroyed years ago. The pool will
enable the cult to-you guessed it—
achieve world domination.
Alas, will the forces of evil never
learn?
Enter four adventurers who thought
they had signed up to keep an eye on
the reawakened pool, only to find them¬
selves thrown into the middle of the
cuffs nefarious plot. Ah, well-the
course of true heroism never did run
smooth. Battling dark sorcerers and
undead creatures at every turn, the
intrepid band must ally with the city’s
ghostly guardians to restore the cor¬
rupted Myth at. Only then can they con¬
front the Cult of the Dragon, its sinister
pool, and its diabolical leaders.
Poof of Radiance: Ruins of Myth
Drannor is the companion novel to the
new SSI computer game of the same
name. Its also the first novel to feature
characters inspired by the new edition
of the Dungeons Of Dragons game.
Archmage Kya Mordrayn and her min¬
ions wield spells in a manner never
before seen in Faerun. Cult fighters dis¬
play their superior weapon mastery with
lethal precision. The dracolich
Pelendrafaar puts a terrifying new face
on undeafh.
But the heroes prove themselves wor¬
thy opponents to these and the other
villains they encounter. Corran D’Arcey
discovers that pa lad inhood is more than
blustering about faith and smiting evil in
the name of one’s god* Sorceress
Ghleanna Storm lake's intuitive approach
to magic enables her to adapt her spell-
casting as circumstances demand.
Durwyn, the brawny fighter, provides
quiet strength-both of arms and of
character—when the party needs it most*
Kestrel, the fiercely independent rogue
with a sixth sense for danger, discovers
she must cooperate with the rest of the
party in order to survive.
Kestrel, Corran, Ghleanna, and
Durwyn begin their journey as talented
but untested adventurers. As they con¬
front cult forces and hone their skills,
they evolve into formidable champions.
They are presented here as they
prepare to challenge Mordrayn and
Pelendrataar in the climactic final
showdown.

108 annual 2ooo

 jft.
\ Kestrel
\
female Human, 14Ui-tevel Rogue
Strength 13 (+1) Fort, Save +6
Dexterity 19 (+4) Ref, Save +13
Constitution 15 (+2) Will Save +7
Intelligence 17 (+3) Alignment NS
Wisdom 16 (+3) Speed 30 ft.
Charisma 14 (+2) Size MO1)
Armor Class 19 Melee Attack +11 /+G
Hit Points 98 Ranged Attack +14/+9
Special: Sneak attack +jd6, evasion,
uncanny dodge (Dex bonus to AC, can't
be flanked, +2 vs, traps)* opportunist,
improved evasion.
Skills: Appraise +8, Balance +12* Bluff
+8* Climb +15, Concentration +6,
Disable Device +14, Decipher Script +8,
Escape Artist +8, Gather Information
+8, Hide +17, Innuendo +8, Intimidate
+9, Jump +8, Listen +17, Move Silently
+18, Open Lock +17, Pick Pocket +14,
Search +15, Sense Motive +12* Spot
+12* Swim +8, Tumble +17* Use Magic
Device +7, Use Rope +8,
Feats: Alertness, Ambidexterity*
Expertise* Quick Draw, Weapon Finesse
(dagger), Weapon Focus (dub).
Languages: Common, Dwarven,
Halfling, Ore.
Possessions: A gift from HaHdain
Ironbar (a ghostly lord of Myth
Drannor)* Kestrels +3 leather armor
enables her to move as freely as if
wearing a silk shirt. Her pair of mantfe
rings can absorb spells up to 4th level.
They hold 8 remaining charges; each
charge protects the wearer from one
spell Kestrel carries three ordinary¬
looking daggers, one in each boot and
one in her belt. Loren's Blade* the dagger
at her side, is a +j dagger of returning.
She also carries Boreas Blood, a blue
crystal shard that functions as a +2 dag¬
ger of icy burst Her more mundane
possessions include a telescoping steel
dub* thieves' tools* a grappling hook, and
a pair of weighted dice.
Appearance
Though only twenty-two years old*
Kestrel looks closer to thirty due to her
rough-and-tumble life. Short and slight
of build, her body seldom relaxes—even
in sleep she is on the alert. Her pene¬
trating emerald eyes are quick to assess
anyone she encounters.
She wears her
colored hair in a short*
boyish cut to keep it
out of the way.
Kestrel is left-handed
but can throw a dag¬
ger from both hands
with equal skill. She
bears a long, thin
scar on her left
wrist from trying
to pick an
ensorcelled lock
three years ago.
Background
Kestrel was barely a year old when
bandits attacked her family's cottage.
Her mother managed to hide her in the
root cellar moments before the noisy team up with Corran* Ghleanna* and
cutthroats burst in* killed her parents, Durwyn to complete what she consid¬
stole what little they could find of value* ers a suicide mission. But the more
and burned the dwelling to the ground. she works to thwarf the cult's plans,
Hours later* an old rogue named Quinn the more the party's cause becomes
heard the baby's hungry cries coming her own.
from the smoking rubble. He named the
orphaned child Kestrel, for the tiny girl's Roleplaying Notes
fierce eyes reminded him of a falcon. Kestrel dislikes depending on others and
Quinn raised Kestrel as a daughter* at is very slow to trust anyone* especially
first trying to protect her from the rogues and arcane spellcasters. Too
shady side of his life but ultimately much knowledge of their general psyche
teaching her everything he knew. His makes her wary of fellow rogues; too
apprentice proved a talented pupil: little information steers her clear of
When Quinn died in a tavern brawl, the sorcerers and wizards. She has stayed
twelve-year-old was well able to fend alive by trusting her five senses.
for herself. After his death* Kestrel When senses fail* she relies on instinct—
drifted from city to city, plying her particularly the tingling sensation along
trade. She and Quinn had often fanta¬ her collarbone that warns of serious
sized about accumulating enough wealth danger.
to retire from thieving and live a pam¬ Years of working alone have made
pered life, and she carried this dream Kestrel impatient with group dynamics.
with her as she wandered. Slowly* her She speaks her mind with little regard
stash of treasure grew. for diplomacy and becomes frustrated
Quinn had often counseled her that when her suggestions are overruled.
there was no honor among thieves, and This attitude leads to frequent disagree¬
to beware trusting a fellow rogue. His ments with her fellow party members,
advice proved sound. When Kestrel whom she tends to regard as naive
was sixteen* she briefly teamed up with do-gooders. She dashes most often
a forger named Eaden, Once he won with Corran* whose arrogance (not to
her trust* he framed her for one of his mention overt prejudice) gets under
solo jobs and absconded with her life her skin like nothing else.
savings while she dealt with the author¬
ities. She resolved to never again leave
herself vulnerable to betrayal and has
worked alone ever since
Until now. Circumstances beyond
Kestrel's con trot have forced her to
Corran D’Arcey
Male Human, 13thJlevel Paladin of Tyr
Strength 18 (+4) fort. Save +11
Dexterity 14 (+2) Ref, Save +6
Constitution 10 (+3) Will Save +6
intelligence 17 (+3) Alignment LG
Wisdom 15 (+2) Speed 20 ft.
Charisma 13 (+1) Size M(G')

Armor Class 22 Melee Attack +17/+12/+7

Hit Paints 147 Ranged Attack +15/+1G/+5

Special: Detect evil divine grace, lay

on hands; divine health, aura of
courage, smite evil, remove disease
(4/week), turn undead, warhorse, profi¬
cient with all simple and martial
weapons, all types of armor, and
shields.
Skills: Climb +10, Concentration +12,
Diplomacy +14, Heal +17, Intimidate +5,
Knowledge (nobility and royalty) +6,
Knowledge (religion) +13, Ride +9,
Sense Motive +7.
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Expertise,
Extra Turning, Improved Critical
(longsword), Weapon Focus (long-
sword), Weapon Focus (warhammer).
Languages: Common, Elven, Ore,
Celestial.
Spells (2/2/1): 1st— cure light wounds,
divine favor; and—resist elements,
shield other; 3rd-prayer.
Possessions: Corran wears dwarven
plate and a large, steel +2 shield of
Necromantic spell turning that provides
added protection from mundane
weapons as well as the ability to reflect
Necromantic spells back at rheir caster
(as the spell spell turning). The paladin
also carries Pathfinder (a +2 longsword}
and a holy symbol of Tyr.
Appearance
Though of average build, Corran
D'Arcey nevertheless cuts a formidable
figure. At twenty-three, he is a man
confident of his place in the world and
moves about as if he has a right to be
there-wherever ‘There” is at the
moment. His gray eyes can appear cold
as steel when battling enemies and dark
as storm clouds when provoked to
anger, but his whole visage softens
when in prayer or ministering to an
injured comrade. Over his armor,
Corran wears a tabard emblazoned with
the scales-and-warhammer symbol of
Tyr. A helm usually covers his short
dark hair.
Background
Corran comes from a long line of pal¬
adins *n a region that crawls with holy
knights. His father (Baron Ethelred
D'Arcey of Sarshef) and brothers alt
serve Tyr, as did countless generations
of D'Arceys before them* Corran has
thus been indoctrinated from the cradle
in the worship of Tyr, the duties of pal-
adinhood, and the nobility of his calling.
In fact, he never deliberated over the
choice to become a knight of Tyr: If
was expected of him, and he accepted
the vocation without question.
Corran received his military training
in the keep of a neighboring noble
(Baron Artur Gheinte, whose family
traditionally trains D’Arcey heirs, and
vice versa). He received his religious
instruction from the high priest of the
local temple. After taking his paladin
vows at sixteen, he fought in several
small campaigns to free Impiltur of
encroaching monsters. But he found
that wherever he went, he could not
escape the tong shadows cast by his
older brothers, father, and paladin
ancestors. He resolved to leave Impiltur
for a time in order to prove himself
worthy to serve Tyr In his own right.
When, in the course of his travels, he
heard rumors of the reawakened Pool
of Radiance in nearby Phfan, he readily
volunteered his sword.
Roleptaying Notes
As the third son of a baron, Corran has
always known the privileges of high
station. He has never wanted for any¬
thing, and-for all hts lofty blustering
about charity-lacks a true understand¬
ing of what life is like for those less
fortunate. He speaks with the assump¬
tion of authority, a manner perceived
(often accurately) as bossy or arrogant
to fhose who don't know him well,
Corran holds romanticized notions
about honor and what it means to be
honorable, but these theories were
never put to the test until he arrived in
Myth Drannor. Now he finds that the
concept of honor must be tempered
with the realities of survival, a gradual
awakening that causes him no small
amount of worry and discomfort*
As a paladin, Corran is intolerant of
rogues on general principle, a bias that
blinds him to Kestrel's value to the
party and causes him to clash with her
continually. He respects Durwyn's bat¬
tle skills and Ghleanna’s command of
magic: they, in turn, have accepted him
as the party's de facto leader. His
training has made him a talented strate¬
gist, and he has the good heart and
noble motives a paladin should possess.
But in Kestrels opinion, Corran could
use a little humility.

llo annual 2ooo

 m <*<***»
Ghleanna Stormlake
female Half~eif, 12th’level Sorcerer
Strength 11 (+0) Fort. Save +9
Dexterity 13 {+1} Ret. Save +8
Constitution 14 (+2) Will Save +15
Intelligence 18 (+4) Alignment C£
Wisdom IB (+4) Speed 30 ft
Charisma 17 (+3) Size M (5* G*)
Armor Class 11 Melee Attack +G/+1
Hit Points 58 Ranged Attack +7/+2
Special; Proficient with all simple
weapons.
Skills; Concentration +17, Diplomacy
+10, Hide +8, Knowledge (arcana) +18,
Knowledge (elven history) +it, Speflcraft
+19, Spot +6.
Feats: Combat Casting, Empower Spell,
Maximize Spell, Quicken Spell, Spell
Penetration.
Languages: Common, Elven, Dwarven,
Halfling, Sylvan, Ancient Elven.
Spells {6/7/7/7/675/3 from the fol¬
lowing list): o —daze, detect magic, dis¬
rupt undead, ghost sound, light, mend,
prestidigitation, read magic, resistance;
1 st-burning hands, mage armor, magic
missile, protection From evil, sleep;
2nd-blindness, flaming sphere, in visibil¬
ity, knockr web; 3rd— dispel magic,
haste, hold person, slow; 4th- confu¬
sion, fear, improved invisibility; 5th—
feebiemind, hold monster; 6 th—globe of
invulnerability.
Possessions: The sorceress wears a
cloak of resistance (bonus included
above) and snakeskin boors that pro¬
vide her with a +2 bonus to Fortitude
saves vs. poison. Her staff absorbs fire
and fire-based spells that target her as
a rod of absorption, Ghleanna can
release such spells from her staff on
command within 24 hours of capturing
them. Ghleanna also carries several
potions of cure serious wounds con¬
cocted from blueglow moss, a plant
native to Myth Drannor.
Appearance
A slender young woman, Ghleanna has
long golden hair, gold-flecked blue eyes,
and slightly pointed ears that reveal the
moon elf heritage on her mother’s side.
Though she dons mage robes while in
the laboratory or library, she normally
wears brown leggings, leather knee-
high boots, a loose-fitting shirt, and a
dark green cloak when traveling.
mm?*
7 I IT
Background
Ghleanna Stormlake is the
product of a tryst between
a human adventurer and
a noble elf maiden*
Gbleanna's mother,
Jesenalae, was a
young girl when her
own parents died
and she went to live
with her brother.
Adualacathus
Stormlake was a hard
man with little compas¬
sion for his orphaned
sister. When Jesenalae
reached adolescence, she
ran away from the tyranny of
her brother's house. She did not
get far before stumbling upon a
human named Garth, who lay wounded
from hunting a magically protected stag
in the elven woods. Jesenalae helped
Garth reach a cabin just outside the
forest, where she lingered a few days
too long nursing his injuries. Garth
seduced the kindness-starved girl, then
returned to his human wife and child
with nary a thank-you-ma am.
Devasrated-and desperate when she
discovered she was pregnant—
Jesenalae returned to her brother s
house. He grudgingly took her in, but
she received no end of verbal abuse
for her folly. Intending to leave as soon
as possible after her child was born,
she did not reveal that the baby's
father was human, for she knew the
fact would only enrage Adualacathus
further. When Jesenalae died in child¬
birth, Adualacathus wanted to quietly
smother her "half-breed spawn," but
his normally timid wife intervened. He
spared the child but warned his wife to
never intercede on Ghleanna's behalf
again. She didn't.
Ghleanna thus grew up unloved and
ostracized in her uncle's house. Though
she exhibited a gift for magic from an
early age, Adualacathus forbade her to
develop It. Ghleanna was ordered to
tamp down the mystical power that
pooled and welled within her, just as
she was forced to quell her spirit. Then
came the wondrous day when
Ghleannas human half-brother arrived.
Garth had made a deathbed confession
about the seduction, and his more hon¬
orable son had gone in search of the
wronged Jesenalae afterward. Instead
he discovered Ghleanna, a neglected
waif whose natural talents were wasting
away with disuse. At his invitation,
Ghleanna departed with her half-
brother and never looked back.
Gbleanna's brother knew little of the
arcane arts himself but arranged for
her to meet a wizard friend of his. The
mage, recognizing an unusually intuitive
element in Ghleanna s magical talent,
brought the girl to the attention of
Elminster. The famous wizard look her
on as an apprentice to both instruct
and study her.
Under 0min$ter*s guidance, Ghleanna
has learned how to channel her powers.
But fully mastering them is something
she must figure out for herself, for her
instinctive method of spellcasting—with¬
out spell books or scrolls—lies beyond
the direct experience of even the great
mage of Shadowdale.
Roleplaymg Notes
Because she grew up in a hostile house
where she could never do anything
right, Ghleanna often falls inlo her
much-practiced role of mediator—trying
to placate both sides in disagreements
that arise within the party. Her child¬
hood isolation has also made her an
introvert, though she isn't afraid to
state an opinion when she believes she
has one worth sharing. She regards the
fellow orphan Kestrel as a bit of a kin¬
dred spirit, Durwyn as a gentle (but
puissant) giant, and Corran as a man
whose goodness is surpassed only by
her half-brother's.
Durwyn
Human Male, llth-level Fighter
Strength 2D (+5) fort. Save +11
Dexterity 10 (+0) ReJ. Save +3
Constitution 18 (+4) Wilt Save +3
Intelligence 9 (-1) Alignment LG
Wisdom 11 (+0} Speed 20 ft.
Charisma 14 (+2) Size M (6‘ T)

Armor Class 18 Meiee Attack +1G/+11/+G

Hit PointsISI Ranged Attack +11/+G/+1

Special: Proficient with all simple and

martial weapons, all types of armor,
and shields.
Skills: Climb +13, Jump +6, Ride +5,
Spot +7.
Feats: Cleave, Expertise, Far Shot,
Point Blank Shot, Great Cleave,
Improved Critical, Power Attack,
Weapon Focus (battleaxe), Weapon
Focus (light crossbow), Weapon Focus
(shortbow), Weapon Specialization
(battleaxe).
Possessions: Durwyn wears magic
armor (+3 chainmail) given to him by
Harfdain ironbar. His weapon of choice
is the battleaxe, but he is also an excel¬
lent marksman with his short bow.
Along with his ordinary ammunition, he
carries three bronze-tipped arrows
with unusual carvings.
Appearance
Durwyn is a large man with wide shoul¬
ders and muscular limbs. He wears his
coarse blond locks tied back and
trimmed short on top to keep hair from
falling in his eyes during battle. His
square jaw gives way to a neck thickly
corded with muscles. During battle, his
eyes reflect fierce determination, but in
times of peace they reveal kindness
unexpected in one whose body seems
sculpted for brute force.
Background
Durwyn grew up on a farm just outside
of Phlan, The eighth of eleven children,
he was raised as much by his older sib¬
lings as by his parents. The bustling,
noisy household was often brimming
with laughter and always full of love,
but there was never quite enough food
on the table or enough patches for the
threadbare hand-me-downs into which
young Durwyn struggled to squeeze his
rapidly-growing body.
To ease the strain of such a large
family, one of Durwyn s older brothers
left home for the “big city” and joined
Phlan’s city guard. When Durwyn
turned thirteen, he followed suit.
Though young and untrained, the burly
teen exhibited such impressive raw
strength that the guard captain readily
accepted him and arranged for proper
weapons training,
Durwyn proved a skilled fighter,
excelling in the use of the battleaxe and
shortbow. In his five years as a guard,
he has earned the notice of his com¬
manding officers for unmatched loyalty
and discipline. He competently and
unquestioningly carries out orders, and
volunteers for tough assignments with
alacrity. But he has never been consid¬
ered for a promotion: Durwyn is a fol¬
lower, not a leader. Even he recognizes
that he lacks the quick Thinking neces¬
sary for crisis command. Until his
adventures in Myth Drannor, he was
happy to simply do what he was told
and give half his pay to his parents
each week.
When the Pool of Radiance returned,
Durwyn’s commanding officer assigned
him to guard it. But the warrior would
have volunteered for the duty anyway.
While he is too young to remember the
events of nearly thirty years ago.
frightening tales of the poofs first
appearance live on in local legend.
Despite personal risk, Durwyn will do
anything to protect his home and family
from the encroaching evil.
Roleplaying Notes
Easy to dismiss at first, Durwyn is a
person one comes to appreciate more
upon better acquaintance. By his own
admission he contributes mostly muscle
to the party, but he offers some sur¬
prisingly good suggestions at times-
while others endlessly debate strategy,
he comes out with a simple “Why don't
we just do this?” solution.
Durwyn has a good heart. He wants
to do the right thing but isn't always
sure what that is. He is unwaveringly
loyal to his companions and trusts them
to do most of the thinking. When dis¬
cord arises, he finds himself tom, want¬
ing to follow what all sound like clever
ideas to him. He admires Corran for his
military prowess and his command
capabilities; Ghleannas magical powers
impress him beyond words. Initially
intimidaled by Kestrel's sharp tongue,
he soon grew to admire her quick wits
and keen senses. ®

112 annual 2ooo

 PASSPDRT TC EXCITEMENT!

The only magazine that puts you in the Star Wars Universe

Every other month,

STAR WARS Gamer brings you

all-new articles and adventures for

the STAR WARS Roleplaying Game,

LucasArts electronic game coverage,

and STAR WARS fiction by best

selling authors, all the while
AAV

exploring new corners of the

STAR WARS galaxy!

! .xJGER. ROGER Sign me up now.

Charter Subscription. Limited Time Offer!*

6 issues of Star Wars Camer

Only $16.99 — 60% off the cover price!
(only $25,99 Canadian)

J 12 issues of Star Wars Camer

Only $29.99 — 64% off the cover price!
(only $44,99 Canadian)

Bill me so 1 can receive my issues without delay.

Name

Address _

Cmr State/ Cou smtky 1\ p/Posta l Code

"Offer good through 12/29/00

 SMM>,KAI>0BiW£VE\ / oecaj6se.u£ \ MQUR FIRST V / W JWENCWUES,
BEEN ASKED TO WS/T MOW? ( ‘AtAVTMS-fiAME*but tinman LOCK. AT HCW 3E C ' DMj ARC EM/EW THE

fume of existence ro fiewew ,£L€RYW,»SH*M& vtoujm AJORKS,¥£AEACWili/ ms to Mosetyw

sometwo called VBrD CVBSCWE 7H£ R0PE5 ( > A® T SEINE OWONSTJare HOW TAILOR CWOKWreRS TO
THIRD £PmON." TT sows MLi SEA SWAP FOR J SHSUtASPH* COMSAT IS RESonePf, t HOWKWERTOLTHC
v IM FUN! i ^ v fmuGusi A . episaoe. M ^ PLAtRS ARC, z"'

/A SIMPLE /SMU) ~ £R, <&,.. THE 3€ ^

MA&C SYSTEM tMIBMWCES
WfWCSVSTOM )ttO0MUOi
H£9JCXS < icwnEArewMEW spells
LETS THC DM-f
AT MATO, j \ft)R THf APVEWIURIM& v
1 WIZARP'y\ fll
LW, ARTAK? }!
HOW AftWT S
SOMCSKUS*

seaip?

NOW, lUDSWCH THIS N I SAID, rw

-- :
ooouioNe\ /
BEAST um.M.SL£m twTuam*- ormc spiff? YJj
IMAGE? ANIMATE ROPE? OUI THANKS!. iw&cma w,
ARCANE LOCK? CATS <
6MC£?DWtENSTOK4i. we Should
CAN DO IF MV M
WORK HARD AND/1
ANCHOR? WHEftETWE . MOWS ONTO eat their Ts*m
lHOK (SA PJMBft-J CliWCAL Jmm
SPELLS, R&fT. i ,->-rX ./ :"

r IS CAST \ AND T THINK ^ r ICAN'T BE£J£v£ \ ' r r can't' x

THE NEW L WETJEAU.6LAP THESE FKREA6RE£D^^^ WAIT TOLL ]
MIRAUE > imr THE RU£S TOR TO DO THIS! KPNT /OM,7WEV THEM GETTO \
SPELL! ISN'T DOCT TAPE HADE 1 h TWEV READTHC g&a£AP A 1 THE fl4CT A8EW
TtiffPam?, SUWEP THE SAME! V_ SCRIPT? Jr\ SCRIPT.. J CRTOCAL HITS! /
tti6Hr,6W5? y

vW? HOIODCCK ^
 Be a part of the largest roLeplaying adventure in the world.
The RPGA' Network is an international organization dedicated to bringing exciting
roLeplaying opportunities to gamers everywhere.
Our members even represent their home countries in the Living Greyhawk' global campaign
Each region on earth has a corresponding region in Oerth.
Your actions define the events of Greyhawk.
We gather together at conventions, local game stores,
and member-sponsored Game Days—even online.
The RPGA Network is open to all, and a Guild-level membership brings
the fuLl range of benefits to your table.

Make new friends. See the world. Join the RPGA Network,

North American Branch European Branch Asia-Pacific Branch United Kingdom Branch Germany/Austria Branch

P.0. Box 707 PB 2031 P.0. Box 3391, BMDC P.O. Box 61 Amigo Spiel + Freizeit

Renton, WA 98057-0707 2600 Berchem ACT 2617 Maidenhead, Berkshire GmbH

Rpga h q @ wi za rd s .co m Belgium Australia SL6 1FX Waldstr. 23/D5

Rpgaeurope@wizards.be wes@dynamite.com.au United Kingdom 63128 Dietzenbach

rpga@u k* wizards.com Germany
rpga@amigo-spiete.de

Questions?
Go to <www.wizards.com/rpga>
or call (800) 324-6496.

All trademarks are property of Wizards of the Coast, 3nc. ©2000 Wizards.
 WT
pPGs, CCGs, Watj
•Games, Miniatures,1
Mgmr

Anime, & More!

rder Securely Online,

Over the Phone,
or by Mail.

Online Auctions
20,000 Item Inventory
24 Hour Ship Times
Norcross, GA 30092